The Federal Ministry of Education has directed the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Professor Ikechukwu Dozie, to immediately withdraw the appointments of 24 aides attached to his office, describing the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with regulations governing federal universities in Nigeria.

The directive was contained in a confidential letter dated June 25, 2026, referenced FME/HE/SFU/16A/Vol.IV/470, and signed by the Acting Director of University Education, Dr Kareem O. L., on behalf of the Minister of Education. The ministry ordered the immediate reversal of the appointments and demanded documentary evidence of compliance without delay.

According to the letter, the ministry reviewed an internal university memorandum dated June 22, 2026, through which the appointments were reportedly made, and found them to be "at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System."

Prof. Dozie, who assumed office as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor on June 18, 2026, now faces regulatory scrutiny less than two weeks into his tenure. The appointments, made shortly after he took office, triggered the ministry's intervention.

Beyond the cancellation order, the leaked correspondence summoned the Vice Chancellor to Abuja for an urgent meeting with ministry officials on June 29. Discussions at the meeting are expected to extend beyond the disputed appointments to cover broader concerns around institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process and compliance with the regulatory framework guiding federal universities.

A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the National Universities Commission, the statutory body responsible for regulating university education in Nigeria.

"The Ministry remains committed to promoting transparency, prudence and best practices in the management of our tertiary institutions," the letter stated, while expressing confidence that the university would comply with the directive.

As of the time of filing this report, neither FUTO management nor the Federal Ministry of Education had issued any official public statement regarding the leaked directive.