American university denies appointing Ganduje visiting professor

The East Carolina University (ECU), an American university said to have appointed Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje as a visiting professor, has denied doing so

The East Carolina University (ECU), an American university said to have appointed Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje as a visiting professor, has denied doing so.

According to the university, the appointment letter said to have been sent to the governor by one of its faculty members was neither authorised by the management of the institution nor sent with their consent.

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This is coming barely three days after Governor Ganduje, through his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, made it public that he has been appointed by the university’s International Center for Information Technology and Development, (ICITD), College of Business, as Senior Mentoring Scholar and Visiting Full Professor of e-Governance and International Affairs.

But, ECU in the letter said, “It has been brought to my attention that you received a letter from a faculty member dated November 30, 2020, that appeared to offer an unpaid appointment in the “International Center for IT and Development” at East Carolina University College of Business.

“I must inform you that the letter you received from Dr. Victor Mbarika, on November 30, 2020 does not convey an authorized offer of appointment or establish any position of scholar or professor at East Carolina University (ECU),” the letter read.

Signed by its Interim Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, B. Hayes Grant, ECU in the letter said only him, the Chancellor, or another official identified in its published statement may authorize or sign appointment letters under which faculty are employed.

According to them Dr. Mbarika is not such an official, hence, the appointment is not authentic.

Daily Trust on Sunday reports that the Kano state government is yet to speak on the new development.