FG orders FUTO VC to withdraw appointments of 24 aides

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Federal Government has ordered the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), to immediately withdraw the appointment of 24 aides in his office, describing the action as a violation of established regulations and due process governing Nigeria’s federal university system.

The directive was contained in a letter dated June 25, from the Federal Ministry of Education and addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie.

The correspondence, which has since surfaced in the public domain, revealed the ministry’s dissatisfaction with the appointments and its decision to intervene in the matter.

Signed by the Acting Director of University Education, Dr. Kareem Olalekan, on behalf of the Minister of Education, the letter stated that the appointments were found to be inconsistent with extant regulations, established procedures and the principles guiding appointments within federal universities.

The ministry said its attention had been drawn to a memorandum issued by the university on June 22, 2026, concerning the appointment of 24 aides in various capacities within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

“Upon a careful consideration of the contents of the memorandum and the circumstances surrounding the appointments, the Minister is constrained to observe that the appointments, as presently constituted, are irregular and are at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System,” the letter stated.

Consequently, the ministry directed the Vice-Chancellor to withdraw the appointments immediately and submit documentary evidence confirming compliance with the directive without delay.

Beyond ordering the reversal of the appointments, the ministry also summoned the Vice-Chancellor to Abuja on June 29 for further discussions on the issue.

According to the letter, the meeting will address not only the controversial appointments but also broader matters relating to institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process and adherence to the regulatory framework guiding the administration of federal universities.

The Ministry said it remains committed to promoting transparency, prudence, and best practices in the management of our tertiary institutions and trusts that this matter will receive your prompt attention and cooperation

Meanwhile, a copy of the correspondence was also forwarded to the National Universities Commission (NUC), a move that underscores the seriousness of the matter and its potential implications for university administration nationwide.