The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (ASUU-MOUAU) branch, has clarified that the ongoing controversy over staff promotion at the institution contradicts the university’s 2017 Conditions of Service.

The clarification came in a press statement jointly signed by ASUU-MOUAU Chairperson, Professor Roseta C. Eneje, and Secretary, Charles E. Osodeke, and made available to journalists on Friday.

ASUU-MOUAU emphasized that the 2017 Conditions of Service for senior staff do not allow for double promotions. The union questioned how a Senior Lecturer could bypass the rank of Associate Professor to seek promotion directly to Professor.

The union further stressed that staff on leave of absence are not eligible for promotion under the 2017 Conditions, without a formal waiver. Any request for promotion during a leave period, it said, constitutes a breach of university regulations.

ASUU-MOUAU highlighted that the staff member at the centre of the dispute was reportedly on leave for seven consecutive years, from 2016 to 2023, while the 2003 Conditions of Service allowed a maximum of four years of leave. The union called on the university to investigate the processes that led to the promotion recommendation during this extended leave.

The controversy arose after Senior Lecturer Philips Nto petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over an alleged delay in approving his promotion to Professor by the University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Fidelis Edeh.

Responding, Fidelis Edeh stated that he could not intervene in individual staff matters, noting that as Chairman of the Council, he must maintain neutrality in all issues brought before the Governing Council.

Meanwhile, the University’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Ubadire Agua, denied claims of delayed or denied promotions under the outgoing administration.