Michael Ibru University: Kila Profile Removed amid Fake Professor Claims

• Michael and Cecilia Ibru University removed Pro-Chancellor Anthony Kila's profile from its website following allegations of falsely using a "professor" title.
• The removal occurred days after a PREMIUM TIMES investigation found no evidence from a recognized university to support Kila's professorial rank.
• Anthony Kila denies being a "fake professor," asserting his credentials and stating his professorship was awarded in 2016 by the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies.
• The university has not issued a public statement explaining the profile's removal or addressing the allegations, despite the Vice-Chancellor's earlier promise to respond.
• This incident raises significant questions about academic credential verification and institutional transparency for senior appointments in Nigerian educational institutions.

The university's decision to remove Anthony Kila's profile, while a notable institutional action, does not, in itself, definitively establish the validity or invalidity of his professorial title.

The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State has removed the online profile and accompanying photographs of its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, from its official website. This action follows serious allegations that Kila has been falsely using the academic title of "professor." A review of the university's digital platform conducted at approximately 09:25 am on a recent Tuesday confirmed that Kila's name, biographical details, and images were no longer visible.

Previously, Kila's information was prominently displayed alongside that of key university figures, including the proprietress, Cecilia Ibru, who is a former banker and chief executive officer of the now-defunct Oceanic Bank, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyinka Fuwape. This significant change occurred just days after a PREMIUM TIMES investigation reported that it could not find any evidence from a recognized university to substantiate Kila's long-standing use of the professorial rank.

Despite the swift removal of the Pro-Chancellor's online presence, the institution has yet to issue a formal public statement addressing the findings of the investigation or the reasons behind its decision. However, Vice-Chancellor Fuwape had previously indicated to the online platform that the university intended to respond to the questions raised by the inquiry. The incident has intensified scrutiny regarding the academic credentials of senior officials within Nigerian educational institutions, highlighting the Michael Ibru University Kila profile removal.

In response to the escalating Anthony Kila fake professor controversy, Anthony Kila has vehemently rejected the characterization of him as a "fake professor," asserting that such a description is both inaccurate and misleading, causing significant damage to his professional reputation. He has maintained his status as a professor, affirming his confidence in the academic and professional credentials that underpin his title. Kila specifically stated, "For the avoidance of doubt, I am a professor, and I stand by the title and the professional and academic credentials on which it is based."

Kila further contended that the report questioning his credentials was based on an incomplete understanding of the nature, origin, and institutional basis of his professorship. He expressed his readiness to make all relevant documents pertaining to his professorial status available for thorough scrutiny. Kila, who also serves as the Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, voiced his objection to the term "fake professor" being presented as a factual conclusion, given its severe implications for his standing.

Expressing his bewilderment at the intense focus directed towards him, Kila highlighted that he neither holds nor seeks political office and is not a government official. While acknowledging the crucial role of journalism in scrutinizing the Delta State university academic credentials of individuals in positions of responsibility, he emphasized that such investigations must be conducted fairly and with a comprehensive grasp of the facts. He clarified that his professorship was awarded in 2016 by the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies, an institution he described as being based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in a statement responding to a publication dated October 3, 2026.

The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University's decision to remove Anthony Kila's profile, while a notable institutional action, does not, in itself, definitively establish the validity or invalidity of his professorial title. The university has refrained from providing a public explanation for the alteration to its website, leaving questions about its official stance on the Anthony Kila fake professor controversy unanswered. This lack of transparency from the institution, particularly in light of the PREMIUM TIMES Kila investigation, has drawn attention to governance practices within higher education.

The incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous verification processes for academic credentials, especially for individuals holding senior leadership roles such as the Pro-Chancellor profile removed Nigeria. The ongoing Michael and Cecilia Ibru University scandal highlights potential reputational risks for educational bodies when allegations of credential misrepresentation surface. The university's handling of this matter will likely be closely watched, as it reflects on its commitment to academic integrity and accountability.

The situation also brings to the forefront the broader issue of Delta State university academic credentials, prompting a re-evaluation of how titles are conferred and verified across the educational landscape. While Kila's profile has been removed, the university's silence on the underlying reasons means the full implications of this development for the institution and for the standards of academic appointments in the country remain to be fully articulated.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for educational institutions should review their due diligence processes for senior appointments and governance policies regarding academic titles. This case highlights the significant reputational and potential legal risks associated with credential misrepresentation and the importance of timely, transparent institutional responses to such allegations.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH