FUTO VC Backtracks on 24 Aides Amidst Education Ministry Summons

Professor Ikechukwu Dozie, who serves as the Vice-Chancellor for the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), recently disclosed the cancellation of 24 appointments for personal aides within his office. This development coincides with a summons issued to the Vice-Chancellor, requiring his presence at a meeting with high-ranking officials from the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Monday, June 29, 2026.

According to a circular dated June 24, addressed to all members of the university community by FUTO Registrar, Chiedozie Uba, the previously communicated appointments via an earlier memo have been retracted, effective immediately. The registrar’s memo explicitly stated: “Please refer to our memo Ref: FUT/REG/CR/CIR.4 dated June 22, 2026, on the above subject. I have been directed to notify the University Community that all the appointments previously conveyed through the above-quoted memo are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.”

This retraction follows a directive from the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who had called the Vice-Chancellor to Abuja concerning the purportedly irregular recruitment of 24 aides for his office. The letter, which bore the signature of Dr. Kareem Olalekan, the Acting Director of University Education, acting on behalf of the Education Minister, was leaked to the public.

The Minister characterized these appointments as 'irregular' and 'inconsistent' with the established regulations that govern federal universities across Nigeria. The ministry further elaborated that the appointments were “at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System.” Consequently, the ministry mandated the immediate withdrawal of these appointments and requested documentary evidence confirming compliance with this directive.

An excerpt from the leaked letter detailed the ministry’s position: “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.”

Meanwhile, Professor Dozie is still expected to attend the scheduled meeting with officials from the education ministry on Monday, June 29, 2026.