Otamere Gladness 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, to immediately withdraw the appointments of 24 aides, escalating concerns over governance and due process within Nigeria’s federal university system.
The ministry issued the directive after reviewing an internal university memorandum and concluded that the appointments violated established regulations governing federal universities.
In a leaked letter sighted by Africa Health Report on Thursday and signed by Acting Director of University Education, Dr Kareem O. L., the ministry said the appointments contravened existing procedures.
Officials described the appointments as being “at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System.”
The ministry directed the university to reverse the appointments immediately and provide evidence of compliance.
The Vice-Chancellor has also been summoned to a high-level meeting at the ministry on June 29 to discuss the appointments and broader issues relating to university governance.
The ministry said the engagement would address administrative accountability and adherence to regulatory standards.
“The Ministry remains committed to promoting transparency, prudence, and best practices in the management of our tertiary institutions,” the letter stated.
The development highlights renewed efforts by the federal government to strengthen oversight of public universities amid growing concerns over governance practices.
The controversy may also reignite debates over institutional autonomy and the extent of government supervision within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Analysts say the outcome of the ministry’s intervention could influence administrative practices in other federal universities.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah