The Federal Ministry of Education has summoned the vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Professor Ikechukwu Dozie, to Abuja over the alleged irregular appointment of 24 aides in his office.
The letter, signed by the Acting Director of University Education, Dr Kareem O. L., on behalf of the minister of education, and obtained by LEADERSHIP, described the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with regulations governing Nigeria’s federal universities.
The confidential correspondence, dated 25 June 2026, shows that the ministry faulted the appointments and directed the vice-chancellor to reverse them forthwith and provide evidence of compliance without delay.
The directive followed the ministry’s review of an internal university memorandum dated 22 June 2026, through which the appointments were reportedly made.
In the leaked communication, the ministry stated that, after a careful examination of the appointments and the circumstances surrounding them, the minister observed that they were “at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System.”
The ministry subsequently ordered the immediate withdrawal of the appointments and demanded documentary proof that the directive had been implemented.
Beyond the order to cancel the appointments, the leaked letter also summoned the vice-chancellor to Abuja for an urgent meeting with officials of the ministry on 29 June.
According to the document, discussions at the meeting will extend beyond the controversial appointments to cover wider concerns relating to institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process, and compliance with the regulatory framework guiding federal universities.
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 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,” it added.
Copies of the communication were also sent to the National Universities Commission (NUC).
