Ibru University Suspends Pro-Chancellor Kila Over Professorship Controversy

The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Delta State, has asked its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, to step aside from office following controversy over his use of the title of professor.

The institution announced the decision in a statement issued on Tuesday, coming three days after a detailed investigation raised questions about how Kila obtained his professorship.

The university said the action was taken to uphold its core values.

According to the statement, the move reflects the university’s commitment to “academic integrity, transparency, and the highest standards of institutional governance.”

The statement added, “Anthony Kila has been requested to step aside from his responsibilities as Pro-Chancellor while the issues raised are being addressed, investigated, and findings concluded.”

Management explained that the step was necessary to safeguard its governance process and to retain the trust of students, staff, parents, regulatory agencies and the general public.

The university, however, did not state when the probe would be concluded.

Further checks on Tuesday showed that Kila’s name, photograph and official profile had been pulled down from the university’s website. Until the removal, his profile was listed alongside that of the university’s proprietress, Cecilia Ibru, and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyinka Fuwape.

The suspension comes after PREMIUM TIMES, in an investigative report published on October 3, reported that it could not find any record of Kila being conferred the rank of professor by a recognised university.

The report also probed Kila’s claim to the title “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development” and said it found no documentation to back it.

In his response to the newspaper, Kila had claimed that his professorship was conferred on him in 2016 by the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies, which he said is based in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

But the newspaper said its search at the United Kingdom Companies House, Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission and other open data sources showed no trace of the existence of such an institution.

It further reported that Kila’s name does not appear on the database of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, the body that manages the European Union’s Jean Monnet programme, as a coordinator of any Jean Monnet project.

Kila has since dismissed claims that he is a “fake professor,” maintaining that he is a legitimate professor and that his credentials remain valid.

While reacting to the story, he stated that he was ready to present relevant documents to prove his professorial status.