The Federal Ministry of Education has directed the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) to immediately withdraw the appointment of 24 aides in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, describing the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with established regulations governing federal universities.
The directive was conveyed in a letter, seen by BusinessDay dated June 25, 2026, and signed by Kareem O. L., the Acting Director of University Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education.
The ministry said the attention of the Minister had been drawn to a memorandum issued by the university on June 22, 2026, announcing the appointments of the aides in various capacities within the Vice-Chancellor’s office.
Read also: African Insurers eye bigger role in unlocking growth as economy, population surge
According to the ministry, after carefully reviewing the memorandum and the circumstances surrounding the appointments, the Minister observed 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,
The ministry consequently directed the university to withdraw the memorandum with immediate effect and forward documentary evidence confirming the withdrawal without delay.
“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 a 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“In light of the foregoing, I am directed to request that the said memorandum be withdrawn forthwith and that documentary evidence confirming the withdrawal be forwarded to the Ministry without delay in compliance with the directive of the Honourable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,” the letter stated.
The Vice-Chancellor was also invited to the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja on Monday, June 29, 2026, for further discussions on the issue and other matters relating to institutional governance.
According to the letter, the meeting will focus on administrative accountability, due process, and strict adherence to the regulatory framework guiding the administration of federal universities in Nigeria.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, prudence and best practices in the management of tertiary institutions, expressing confidence that the university would comply promptly with the directive.
