The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), Delta State, has asked its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, to step aside from his responsibilities pending an investigation into questions surrounding his professorial status.
The university announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, three days after Premium Times published an investigative report questioning whether Kila had been awarded the academic rank of professor by a recognised institution.
According to the university, the decision reflects its commitment to academic integrity, transparency and sound institutional governance.
In the statement, MCIU said it had taken note of the publication released on Saturday, October 3, which raised concerns about Kila’s professorial credentials.
“In keeping with the University’s commitment to academic integrity, transparency, and the highest standards of institutional governance, 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,” the statement said.
The university added that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of its governance processes and maintain the confidence of students, staff, parents, regulatory authorities and the general public.
However, the institution did not specify how long the investigation would take or when its findings would be made public.
Investigation raises questions about professorial credentials
The development follows an investigation by Premium Times published on October 3, which reported that it found no evidence that a recognised academic institution had awarded Kila the rank of professor.
The investigation also examined his use of the designation “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development” and reported that it could not establish evidence supporting the title.
Kila had told the newspaper that the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (ECAPS), which he described as being based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, awarded him the professorship in 2016.
However, the newspaper said its checks yielded no evidence of the institution’s existence in searches of the UK Companies House, Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission and other publicly available sources.
The report further stated that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, which administers the European Union’s Jean Monnet programme, did not list Kila as a Jean Monnet project coordinator.
Kila rejects allegations
Kila has rejected the description of him as a “fake professor,” insisting that he remains a professor and stands by the credentials supporting his academic title.
In a response reported by Premium Times on Monday, he said he was prepared to make documents concerning his professorial status available. However, according to the newspaper, he had not publicly produced the documents at the time of its report.
The allegations remain a subject of investigation, and the university’s decision to ask him to step aside does not, in itself, constitute a final determination of the matter.
University removes Kila’s profile from website
The university’s action followed an earlier report that it had removed Kila’s name, profile and photographs from its official website.
His profile had previously appeared alongside those of the university’s proprietress, Cecilia Ibru, and its Vice-Chancellor, Ibiyinka Fuwape.
The university had earlier indicated that it would respond to the issues raised by the investigation after its governing council considered the matter.
Fuwape subsequently told Premium Times that the institution would issue a statement following the council’s deliberations.
Tuesday’s announcement represents the university’s formal response to the controversy surrounding its Pro-Chancellor’s professorial credentials.
ICPC constitutes investigative team
The controversy has also attracted the attention of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which, according to Premium Times, has constituted a team to investigate Kila following the publication’s findings.
The investigation is also expected to examine whether the university benefited from his alleged claim to the professorial title.
The outcome of the university’s internal investigation and the ICPC’s inquiry could have implications for questions of academic accountability, institutional oversight and the verification of professional credentials in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
For now, MCIU has asked Kila to step aside while the issues are examined, with the university yet to announce a timeline for concluding its investigation.
