Nigerian University Lecturer On The Run Indicted Over Certificate Scandal
The Imo State University (IMSU) has promoted a lecturer, one Mr Michael Anumaka, whom a government white paper recommended for dismissal four years ago.
The lecturer was promoted to a Reader. It is a title given to a senior academic who has achieved a high level of expertise in their field. While they may not have a chair (a prestigious professorship), they are still respected and accomplished scholars.
Anumaka a lecturer with the Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering, has been enmeshed in certificate forgery scandal over discrepancies in academic records.
Investigation by the state government revealed that his claimed Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Electronics Engineering from Clayton University, Missouri, USA (2003) is counterfeit.
Further review of his curriculum vitae, obtained by SaharaReporters, shows additional discrepancies, including Advanced Diploma in Electrical Electronics Engineering and Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Electronics Engineering.
Both allegedly from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. But the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) denied issuing him Advanced Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Electronics Engineering.
Documents show Anumaka earned an O-level credit in mathematics after completing his master’s and PhD, contradicting Nigeria’s university entry requirements for engineering programmes.
The Imo State Government White Paper on the visitation panel report further highlights Anumaka’s unfitness for a lecturer position due to lack of qualifications, improper placement, denial of promotion and illogical demotion.
These findings cast doubt on Anumaka’s legitimacy as a lecturer and raise concerns about the university’s hiring practices.
Titled: “Imo State of Nigeria, Government White Paper on the report of the visitation panel on Imo state University (2012-2019), Office of the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Executive Governor’s Office Government House, Owerri,” the report is dated July 28, 2020.
The visitation panel was established through a letter dated November 12, 2019, with reference number SGI/S.0011/T.R/X, reading, “The government of Imo state set up a thirteen-member visitation panel for Imo State University, Owerri from 2012 to 2019.”
The panel had Prof Chinedu O. Nebo, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Ambrose C. Duru as the chairman and secretary respectively.
Other members of the panel were: Profs Chuks I. Ogbonnaya, John Nwankwo, Basil O. Nwosu, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Francis N. Ukaigwe, Chiemeka C. Ekennia, Florence O. Nduka; Drs. Chineze E. Obi, Chilaka E. Nwaimo, Mr Chuck O.N. Chuckuemeka, and Mr Basil E. Iwu (Representative of the Ministry of Education).
The panel was among nine terms of reference “to ascertain the appointment of principal officers and others, ascertain if it was in conformity with the due process.”
A subhead of report titled, ‘Deficiencies of Engr. Dr. Michael C. Anumaka, a lecturer in the electrical/electronic engineering department, IMUS Owerri for your study and consideration”, published in the White Paper on pages 77&78, paragraphs 10.17 to 10.19 states: “Dr. Anumaka obtained credit in O’ Level Mathematics in November 2014 after his M.Eng. and Ph.D degrees in 2007 and 2014 respectively.
“No person studies engineering course without credit level passes in chemistry, physics and mathematics.
“He obtained a B.Sc in engineering from Clayton University (USA) by correspondence but the University does not offer any engineering programme, besides no engineering course is offered by correspondence.”
It added, “NYSC denied Dr. Anumaka enlistment for possessing qualifications in unaccredited programmes from Clayton and FUTO. He does not possess exemption certificate from NYSC.
“He did a master’s degree without a first degree or Higher National Diploma supported with Post-graduate Diploma.
“It is illegal to be employed or assume appointment without NYSC discharge certificate or exemption thereof.
“The Panel is of the view that the appointment of Dr. Anumaka should be terminated. He should not be allowed to continue teaching University students.”
But after going through the report and recommendation of the Panel, “the government expressed displeasure on the Governing Council for employing an unqualified person as a lecturer.”
“Government directs the Governing Council to dismiss Dr. Anumaka from the services of the University,” the white paper reads.
Investigation reveals that the lecturer, previously appointed Head of Department twice, with the latest tenure ending abruptly after six months due to allegations of high-handedness, has surprisingly been appraised and elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
When contacted to explain the university’s failure to implement the government’s white paper recommendations, Registrar Julius Osuagwu surprisingly denied any knowledge of the document.
“Sorry, I am not aware of the existence of the document. Meanwhile, if you have any issue come to the university,” he said.
But when reached out to Anumaka, he denied any wrongdoing and insisted that his certificate was genuine.
He said, “Contrary to the Visitation Panel report, I successfully obtained ‘O’ Level National Technical and ‘A’ Level (Electrical Tech.) certificates, which is equivalent to Advanced Level WAEC GCE as stated by the Imo State Commissioner for Education in a letter dated 1st December, 1998, and got the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) admission to study Advanced Diploma (HND equivalent) in 1998/1999 academic session.
“I fulfilled the entry requirements with credit level passes in ‘O’ Level subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Installation & Calculations, Electrical Regulation and Installation, English and Communication and Mathematics at pass level, plus ‘A’ Level credit level passes in four (4) subjects including Business and Construction Management, Engineering Drawing Design, English Language, Social Studies, and three (3) ‘A’ Level passes in Electrical Science Calculations, Mathematics and Electrical Installation Work & Regulations.
“As at then, three (3) passes in the ‘A’ Level subjects were used for admission into 200 level.
“I graduated the FUTO Advanced Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology with Upper Credit in 2000. I proceeded and successfully obtained the FUTO Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering with Distinction in 2001.
“The IMSU Registrar verified the FUTO certificates in 2012 and the certificates were authentic certificates from FUTO. The NYSC used FUTO Advanced Diploma Certificate (HND Eqv.) for issuance of clearance from participating in the NYSC scheme, which the IMSU Governing Council considered and used for my employment in 2010.
“The Panel’s trivial point on B.Sc. from Clayton University does not hold water because it is obvious that correspondence certificates are not acceptable for employment purposes in Nigeria. The IMSU Governing Council/Administration never considered or used the Clayton University certificate for my employment and promotion to Senior Lecturer.
“I was given temporary employment in 2010 with the ‘O’ Level and ‘A’ Level (4 Credits and 3 passes), Technical Certificates, FUTO Advanced Diploma (HND eqv.) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Upper Credit), FUTO Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Distinction), a clearance from participation in the NYSC scheme, a Master of Engineering Degree in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering (M. Eng.) from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (Power and Machine option), a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Calabar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN) Registration Certificate and a Fellow Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria (FIIAN).
“In addition, I have successfully obtained the following degrees and qualifications: a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Electrical Power and Machine option), B.Sc. Degree in Information Technology, Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), which was obtained sequel to the National University Commission (NUC) directive that all academic staff should process education certificates, hence, I sat and obtained a WAEC certificate that included educational subjects that enabled me to study the PGDE.”
“I have been a registered member of renowned academic professional bodies including Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria,” he added.
