Okpara Varsity Lecturers Defend Rejection Of Controversial Promotion

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (ASUU-MOUAU) branch, has explained its position on the ongoing controversy surrounding staff promotion at the university.

This was contained in a statement signed by the chairperson, Prof. Roset Eneje, and the secretary, Dr Charles Osodeke,  after its congress at the university, yesterday.

The union said the exercise contravened the federal government 2017 Conditions of Service and is therefore not acceptable by the members.

It said, “ASUU-MOUAU maintained that the 2017 Conditions of Service for senior staff members do not provide for double promotion.

“It questioned how such member currently holding the rank of senior lecturer could seek promotion directly to professor without first attaining the rank of associate professor.”

The union said the 2017 Conditions of Service clearly stipulate that staff on leave of absence are not eligible for promotion, without exception or waiver.

“It described any demand for promotion during a period of leave of absence as a violation of the university’s regulations.”

One of the senior lecturers, Dr Philips Nto, had petitioned President Bola  Tinubu over the alleged delay in approving his promotion to the rank of professor.

‎He accused the pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, of withholding the release of his promotion, which he said was due in 2021.

‎Nto, therefore , appealed to the president to intervene and ensure that whenever the promotion is approved, it takes effect retrospectively from 2021.

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‎Reacting to the allegations, Edeh said by his position,  he could not join issues with any staff member as he must remain neutral in matters brought before the council.

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‎The chairman also questioned why the promotion, if due in 2021, was not effected before the current council assumed office in 2024.

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‎He referred  comments to the vice-chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, who assumed office in 2021 and chairs the university’s appointments and promotions committee.

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‎In a related statement dated December 6, 2025, the university’s chief public relations officer Dr. Ubadire Agua, had denied claims of delayed or denied promotions.

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‎The statement insisted that under the current administration, no qualified staff member had been denied or had delayed promotion.

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‎It said the promotions pass through departmental appraisal committee, college appraisal committee, university appraisal committee, and the governing council.