Delta Varsity Removes Pro-Chancellor’s Profile Amid Professorship Controversy

Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State has removed the profile and photographs of its Pro-Chancellor, Mr Anthony Kila, from its website amid controversy over his use of the title professor.

A review of the university’s website on Tuesday showed that Kila’s name, profile and photographs were no longer displayed on the institution’s platform.

His details had previously appeared alongside those of the university’s proprietress, Mrs Cecilia Ibru, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyinka Fuwape.

The development followed an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES that questioned Kila’s professorial credentials and reported that it found no evidence that a recognised university had awarded him the academic rank of professor.

The investigation also questioned his claim that the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (ECAPS), which he said was based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, awarded him a professorship in 2016.

The university has yet to issue a public statement explaining the removal of Kila’s profile or responding to the allegations concerning his professorial title.

The Vice-Chancellor had earlier indicated that the institution would respond to questions raised by the investigation.

Kila, however, has rejected the description of him as a “fake professor”, maintaining that he remains a professor and stands by the academic and professional credentials supporting his title.

He said the allegations were based on what he described as an incomplete understanding of the nature, origin and institutional basis of his professorship.

Kila, who is also Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, said he was prepared to make documents relating to his professorial status available for scrutiny.

He also criticised the description of him as a “fake professor”, saying it was inaccurate, misleading and damaging to his professional reputation.

The controversy has also attracted the attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which has reportedly constituted a team to examine the allegations surrounding Kila’s professorial title and whether the university benefited from his claimed status.

The ICPC investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Kila’s use of the title and determine whether any official advantage was derived from it.

Kila has maintained that the title is legitimate, while investigations into the claims surrounding his academic credentials continue.