Anthony Kila, Pro-Chancellor of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), has insisted that he is a professor but has yet to provide evidence of a recognised institution awarding him the academic rank.
Kila’s response followed a PREMIUM TIMES investigation which reported that no recognised academic institution had been found to have conferred a professorship on him, despite his repeated public identification as a professor and “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am a professor, and I stand by the title and the professional and academic credentials on which it is based,” Kila was quoted as saying in a response published by Vanguard.
However, his response did not identify or establish the status of the institution he previously said awarded him the professorship.
Kila had told PREMIUM TIMES that the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (ECAPS), which he said was based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, awarded him the professorial title in 2016.
The newspaper’s earlier investigation reported that searches of the UK Companies House, Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission and other online sources produced no evidence of the institution, including a website, physical address, social media accounts or alumni records.
Kila’s latest response did not provide a certificate, appointment letter or other documentation showing that ECAPS exists and awarded him the professorial rank.
He also did not explain the legal or academic status of the institution or why it could not be independently located.
Jean Monnet title questioned
The controversy also concerns Kila’s use of the designation “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development”.
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), which administers the European Union’s Jean Monnet Actions, previously told PREMIUM TIMES that Kila did not appear in its publicly available directory as a Jean Monnet project coordinator.
The agency’s response also did not support the claim that Kila held a Jean Monnet professorship.
Kila’s latest response did not explain his use of the designation in light of the agency’s findings.
Kila threatens legal action
Kila said the PREMIUM TIMES investigation reflected what he described as an “incomplete understanding of the nature, origin and institutional basis” of his professorship.
He said he was prepared to make relevant facts and documents concerning his professorial status available.
However, the response, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES, did not include the documents establishing the existence of ECAPS or showing that it conferred the professorial rank on him.
Kila also said he was “baffled” by the attention generated by the investigation, noting that he does not hold political office, is not seeking political office and is not a government official.
He said he had instructed his lawyers to review the publication and subsequent dissemination of the allegations and advise him on appropriate legal action to protect his reputation and professional standing.
MCIU yet to clarify professorial title
Meanwhile, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University has yet to publicly clarify the basis for describing Kila as a professor on its website.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyinka Fuwape, told PREMIUM TIMES that the institution would respond to the questions raised by the investigation.
The development follows the newspaper’s earlier report which also questioned aspects of Kila’s claimed academic career, qualifications and publication record.
While Kila maintains that he is a professor, the evidence publicly presented so far has not established the identity of a recognised academic institution that awarded him the professorial rank.
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