Utomi faces backlash over support for Kila amid questions about his academic qualifications

Pat Utomi, a Nigerian political economist, is facing criticism for defending Anthony Kila. This comes after doubts were raised about Kila's academic qualifications and titles.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Utomi called Kila a “smart and good man.” He dismissed claims that Kila had never attended school as “spectacularly stupid.”

But many Facebook users disagreed. They argued that Utomi's defense focused on Kila’s character and intelligence. They said it did not tackle the main issue of whether Kila really earned the qualifications he claims.

Ekokoi Solomon, a law lecturer at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, pointed out that Utomi was not addressing the right issue. He said, “Pat Utomi is saying something entirely different from the allegations against Mr Kila. The issue here is about spurious and fraudulent claims about certification.”

Babajide Brown also took issue with Utomi’s comparison of Kila’s situation with that of Jason Arday, a British sociologist. Arday became a professor at the University of Cambridge but faced plagiarism accusations in July 2026. He was later found dead at his home in London on 14 August 2026.

Brown noted that the two cases are not the same. He explained that Arday's issue was about dishonesty, not whether he had the academic qualifications he claimed. He wrote, “The fact that he talked intelligently and that he is a ‘good man’ is beside the point and totally irrelevant to the discourse.”

Jolayemi Babajide also questioned how Utomi’s post addressed the concerns about Kila’s academic credentials. Isaacs Oguntuase added that the real issue is about integrity and accountability. He urged Utomi, as a respected professor, to ask Kila for proof of his qualifications or admit any mistakes.

Oguntuase stressed, “If we are to preserve public confidence in our academic institutions, we must be willing to demand accountability from everyone, regardless of their eloquence, reputation, or perceived intellectual ability.”

Kukei Umoye criticized what he saw as double standards. He referenced the ongoing issue with President Bola Tinubu’s academic certificate. Umoye stated that Kila should present proof of his professorial status to clear up the matter.

PREMIUM TIMES Investigations

The backlash follows investigations by PREMIUM TIMES. These were published on 3 and 10 October and raised questions about Kila’s professorship. The reports looked into his academic qualifications from undergraduate to doctoral levels.

The first investigation found no proof that Kila received a professorship from any recognized academic institution. Kila had told the newspaper that he got the title from the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies in 2016, but the investigation found no evidence that this institution even exists.

In the second report, PREMIUM TIMES uncovered inconsistencies in Kila’s claimed qualifications. Some institutions either disputed or could not verify the credentials attributed to them. The investigation is ongoing.

Kila insists he is a professor and stands by his academic credentials. Utomi mentioned in his post that he learned about the controversy late. He said he had never asked Kila for his certificates or letters of appointment and could not personally confirm those documents.

Utomi also shared his experiences of facing questions about his own professional history. He argued that public figures often face harsh criticism. He compared Kila’s situation to that of Arday and criticized what he called online bullying. He questioned the motives of those challenging Kila.

Despite Utomi’s defense, critics maintain that the allegations need documented proof. They argue that personal relationships or character do not address the serious questions raised. Utomi faced similar backlash on X, with one user urging him to remove his post.

The user commented, “I think you should be smarter about this issue. The man himself has said nothing about this. No rebuttals. Nothing. Why don’t you wait for him to do so before you disgrace yourself? The friend of a thief may also be a thief.”