Imo University Lecturer at Center of Certificate Scandal Promoted to Reader Despite Government’s Call for Dismissal

Imo State University (IMSU) has recently promoted Mr. Michael Anumaka, a lecturer from the Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering, to the rank of Reader, a senior academic position, despite a government white paper recommending his dismissal four years ago.

Anumaka’s promotion comes amid ongoing controversy over his academic credentials. An investigation by the Imo State Government revealed significant discrepancies in his qualifications. It was discovered that Anumaka’s claimed Bachelor’s degree from Clayton University, Missouri, USA, was counterfeit. Additionally, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) denied issuing him an Advanced Diploma and a Postgraduate Diploma in Electrical Electronics Engineering, which he listed on his curriculum vitae.

Further scrutiny found that Anumaka’s O-level credits in mathematics were obtained after he had completed his master’s and Ph.D., contradicting the standard entry requirements for engineering programs in Nigeria. The government’s White Paper on the visitation panel’s report, dated July 28, 2020, highlighted these issues and recommended Anumaka’s termination, citing his unfitness for the lecturer position due to lacking proper qualifications.

The report, issued by a visitation panel led by Prof. Chinedu O. Nebo and Ambrose C. Duru, detailed multiple deficiencies in Anumaka’s academic background, including unaccredited qualifications and improper documentation. Despite these findings and the government’s directive for dismissal, Anumaka was surprisingly promoted to Associate Professor.

IMSU Registrar Julius Osuagwu, when contacted, denied knowledge of the white paper, while Anumaka defended his credentials, asserting that his qualifications and certificates were legitimate and properly verified.