FG Flags Governance Breach At FUTO, Orders Reversal Of 24 Appointments

By Ayo Kehinde

The Federal Government has flagged what it described as a governance breach at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), ordering the immediate reversal of the appointment of 24 aides by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikechukwu Dozie, over alleged violations of due process and regulations governing federal universities.

The directive, conveyed in a letter dated June 25, 2026, issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, described the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with the extant rules guiding administrative appointments within Nigeria’s federal university system.

Signed by the Acting Director of University Education, Dr Kareem O. L., on behalf of the Minister of Education, the letter directed the Vice-Chancellor to reverse the appointments “forthwith” and furnish the Ministry with evidence of compliance without delay.

A source familiar with the development said the action followed the Ministry’s review of an internal university memorandum dated June 22, 2026, through which the appointments were reportedly made.

According to the Ministry, a careful examination of the appointments and the circumstances surrounding them revealed significant departures from established procedures and regulatory requirements.

“The appointments are at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System”, the letter stated.

The Ministry consequently directed that the appointments be withdrawn immediately and instructed the university management to provide documentary proof that the directive had been implemented.

Beyond ordering the reversal, the Federal Government also summoned Prof. Dozie to Abuja for an urgent meeting scheduled for June 29, 2026.

According to the communication, the meeting will address not only the controversial appointments but also broader issues relating to institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process, and compliance with the regulatory framework governing federal universities.

The summons has fuelled speculation that the Ministry may be undertaking a wider scrutiny of administrative decisions and governance practices within the institution.

A source at the university said the appointments had generated concerns among stakeholders over adherence to approved procedures and the growing size of the Vice-Chancellor’s administrative structure.

While the identities and specific responsibilities of the affected aides were not disclosed in the Ministry’s letter, officials stressed that all appointments within federal universities must conform strictly to statutory provisions, approved guidelines, and principles of transparency and accountability.

Reaffirming its position, the Ministry stated that it remained committed to promoting transparency, prudence, and best practices in the management of the nation’s universities.

“The Ministry remains committed to promoting transparency, prudence and best practices in the management of our tertiary institutions”, the letter added, while expressing confidence that the university would comply fully with the directive.

As of press time, neither Prof. Dozie nor the management of FUTO had issued an official response to the Ministry’s order.