Education Minister calls vice-chancellor over 24 new aides appointed after taking office

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has called in the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Ikechukwu Dozie. This is over his appointment of 24 aides just days after he took office.

In a letter dated 25 June and signed by the Acting Director of University Education, Kareem Lateef, the minister said the appointments were not regular. He ordered Mr Dozie to cancel them according to the rules for appointments in federal universities.

The minister also asked the vice-chancellor to meet with him on 29 June. They will discuss these appointments and other issues about running the university, following the rules, and being accountable.

"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," the letter said.

Mr Dozie became the ninth vice-chancellor of FUTO on 19 June. He took over from Nnenna Oti, a professor.

Just three days later, on 22 June, he sent out an internal memo announcing his 24 new aides through the Registrar's Office. The new staff included a coordinator for the Vice-Chancellor's Office, an executive assistant, and several special assistants handling various tasks like general duties, protocol, projects, communication, and student support.

But the Federal Ministry of Education criticized the appointments and told him to reverse them. The ministry said it aims to support transparency and good practices in managing universities.

"I am directed to request that the said memorandum be withdrawn forthwith and that documentary evidence confirming the withdrawal be forwarded to the ministry without delay in compliance with the directive of the minister," the statement stated.

The university followed up by announcing the cancellation of the appointments in another memo dated 24 June. This memo was signed by the registrar, Chiedozie Uba.

"I have been directed to notify the university community that all the appointments previously conveyed through the above-quoted memo are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect," the new memo stated.

Although the ministry’s letter ordering the reversal was dated 25 June, the memo saying the appointments were canceled was dated a day earlier, 24 June.