The Nigerian government has reportedly ordered the vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Ikechukwu Dozie, to immediately withdraw his appointment of twenty-four aides.
This contained a leaked directive dated June 25th, 2026, allegedly signed by Kareem O. L., acting director of university education on behalf of the minister of education.
The government in the purported directive cited alleged breaches of due process as the reason for the directive.
Recall that Prof. Dozie assumed office on June 19th, 2026, as the 9th VC of FUTO Owerri.
Thereafter, a report emerged that the VC appointed 24 aides.
Reacting to the alleged leaked correspondence, the ministry faulted the appointments and directed the vice-chancellor to reverse them “forthwith” and provide evidence of compliance without delay.
The government reportedly described the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with regulations governing Nigeria’s federal universities.
“At variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System.”
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 June 29.
A copy of the communication was also forwarded to the National Universities Commission (NUC), a move experts say underscores the seriousness of the matter and the potential implications for university governance.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the management of FUTO nor officials of the Federal Ministry of Education had publicly commented on the leaked directive.
