An Associate Professor at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, Dr. Philips Nto, has accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, of withholding the release of his promotion to the rank of professor, which he said was due since 2021.

Dr. Nto has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, urging that whenever his promotion is eventually approved, it should take effect from 2021.

Addressing journalists, Nto said he joined the services of the university as an Assistant Lecturer in 2007, obtained his doctorate degree in 2009, and was promoted to the rank of Senior Lecturer in 2015.

He stated that, by academic progression standards, he ought to have been promoted to professor in 2021.

According to him, all his contemporaries and even some junior colleagues have since been promoted to the rank of professor, leaving him as the only one allegedly excluded.

He alleged that the Council Chairman had persistently refused to approve the release of his promotion, claiming that while professorial promotions of other academics were approved “with the speed of light,” his own was deliberately withheld.

Following enquiries by The Guardian, both the Council Chairman and the university’s spokesman reacted separately to the allegation.

Comrade Fidelis Edeh said he could not join issues with Dr. Nto or any other staff member, explaining that as Chairman of Council, he must remain neutral to preside over matters brought before the Governing Council.

He also questioned why Dr. Nto’s promotion, which he claimed was due in 2021, was not effected before the current Governing Council came into office in 2024.

Edeh subsequently referred comments on the matter to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, who assumed office in 2021 and also serves as Chairman of the university’s Appointments and Promotions Committee.

In a related development, the university’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Dr. Ubadire Agua, issued a statement dated December 6, 2025, titled “Re: Tension Mounts in MOUAU as Council Chairman Seeks Revenge Against VC, Nto, Over Enugu Election Won by Gov. Mbah.”

In the statement, the spokesman denied claims of delayed or denied promotions, insisting that no qualified staff member of the university had been denied promotion under the current administration.

“It needs to be stated that under the watch of Prof. Iwe, no qualified staff of the university has either been denied or delayed promotion as at when due. All meetings for the appraisal of staff for promotion have held regularly and reports submitted to the Governing Council,” the statement read.

The PRO further explained that promotion in the university follows a structured process beginning with the Departmental Appraisal Committee chaired by the Head of Department, followed by the College Appraisal Committee chaired by the Dean, and then the University Appraisal Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. (Guardian)