ASUU President Slams “Backdoor” Professorships at Newly Upgraded Federal Universities of Education

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised a red flag over the “arbitrary” promotion of staff at newly upgraded Federal Colleges of Education, for bypassing established academic protocols.

Speaking at the unveiling of the FGN-ASUU agreement, ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna criticized the immediate conversion of Chief Lecturers to the rank of Professor, labeling the practice a threat to the integrity of the Nigerian university system.

“Chief Lecturers are not Professors”

Prof. Piwuna argued that the structural and academic requirements of a College of Education differ fundamentally from those of a University. He noted that while the institutions have gained university status, they have failed to transition their administrative and promotional rigors accordingly.

“The structure of a college of education is quite different from that of a university,” Piwuna stated. “The same applies to promotion criteria. Chief lecturers and professors are never equivalent.”

The Union highlighted several “ills” currently plaguing these transitioning institutions:

Lack of Due Process: Many of these new universities have not yet established a functional Senate or developed formal promotion guidelines tailored to university standards.”Arranged” Senates: Where Senates exist, Piwuna described them as being “quickly arranged” with blank or insufficient procedures.

Erosion of Standards: Promotion to Professor traditionally requires specific benchmarks, including:High-impact research outputs.Postgraduate teaching and supervision experience.Rigorous external assessment by established peers.

The ASUU President expressed disappointment that the Vice Chancellors are prioritizing titles over the foundational development of university structures. He warned that allowing these “conversions” to stand would erode the global standing of the Nigerian professoriate.Prof. Piwuna concluded with a stern advisory to the leadership of these institutions:”The Vice Chancellors of these universities should take a second look at the promotions, with a view to doing the right thing.”

As of press time, the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, is one that has this recent practice and viewpointNigeria is yet yet to get a formal response to the Union’s allegations.

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“Chief Lecturers are not Professors”Prof. Piwuna