By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Ministry of Education has summoned the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, to Abuja over alleged irregular appointment of 24 aides in his office.
A memo dated June 25, 2026, and signed by Kareem O.L, acting director of university education at the ministry, directed the VC to reverse the appointments “forthwith” and provide evidence of compliance without delay.
It reads : “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Education has been drawn to your Memorandum Ref. No. FUT/REG/CR/CIR/4 dated 22 June 2026 (copy attached) concerning the appointment of twenty-four (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 Honourable 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.
” In light of the foregoing, I am directed to request that the said memorandum be withdrawn forthwith and that documentary evidence confirming the withdrawal be forwarded to the Ministry without delay in compliance with the directive of the Honourable Minister.
“Furthermore, I am directed to invite you to the Ministry on Monday, 29 June 2026, for further engagement on this matter and other related issues touching on institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process, and strict adherence to the regulatory framework governing the administration of Federal Universities in Nigeria.”
Copies of the communication were also sent to the National Universities Commission (NUC), a step observers believe reflects the seriousness of the issue and its potential implications for university administration across the country.
