The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Delta State, has asked its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, to step aside while it investigates questions surrounding his professorial credentials.
The university announced the decision on Tuesday, following reports questioning the basis of Kila’s use of the title of professor.
In a statement, the institution said the move was part of its commitment to academic integrity, transparency and sound governance.
The university said Kila would remain away from his Pro-Chancellor responsibilities until the issues raised against him had been investigated and the findings concluded.
It said the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of its governance process and maintain the confidence of students, staff, parents, regulators and members of the public.
The university did not state how long the investigation would last.
The controversy followed an investigation published on October 3 which reported that there was no evidence that a recognised academic institution had awarded Kila the rank of professor.
The report also questioned his use of the designation “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development.”
Kila had previously said the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies, which he identified as being based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, conferred the professorship on him in 2016.
However, checks reportedly found no evidence of the institution in records examined from the UK Companies House, Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission and other publicly available sources.
The investigation also reported that Kila was not listed as a Jean Monnet project coordinator by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, which administers the European Union’s Jean Monnet programme.
Kila has rejected the description of him as a “fake professor”, insisting that he remains a professor and stands by the credentials supporting his title.
He had also indicated that he was willing to provide documents relating to his professorial status.
The university’s decision came shortly after Kila’s profile, name and photographs were reportedly removed from its website.
