{
  "id": 12444516,
  "title": "Delta varsity suspends Kila over ‘fake professor’ controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/delta-varsity-suspends-kila-over-fake-professor-controversy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T19:00:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/delta-varsity-suspends-kila-over-fake-professor-controversy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State has suspended Pro-Chancellor Anthony Kila pending an investigation into allegations that he is not a legitimate professor. The announcement came in a statement released on Tuesday, following an investigation published three days earlier that questioned the legitimacy of Kila's professorship. The university's decision was made in accordance with its commitment to academic integrity, transparency, and high governance standards. Kila was asked to step aside from his responsibilities while the investigation is conducted. The university did not specify how long the investigation would take. Earlier reports by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that no recognized academic institution had awarded Kila the title of professor, and the use of the designation \"Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development\" was also found to lack evidence. The investigation also found no proof of Kila's professorship from the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies, which Kila claimed was based in Cambridge, UK. Kila had previously stated that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency did not recognize him as a Jean Monnet project coordinator. He faced accusations of being a \"fake professor\" but maintained that his credentials were valid. Following the investigation, Kila's name, profile, and photographs were removed from the university's website.",
  "summary": "Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Delta State, has asked its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, to step aside over allegations about his professorial status. Read More: https://punchng.com/delta-varsity-suspends-kila-over-fake-professor-controversy/",
  "key_points": [
    "Pro-Chancellor Anthony Kila suspended pending investigation",
    "Allegations of Kila not being a legitimate professor",
    "University committed to academic integrity and transparency"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Who is really a professor? The Kila case and the cost of unverified titles, By Sunday Ogunlana",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/who-is-really-a-professor-the-kila-case-and-the-cost-of-unverified",
        "published": "2026-10-06T18:13:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Delta varsity suspends Kila over ‘fake professor’ controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/delta-varsity-suspends-kila-over-fake-professor-controversy-12444590",
        "published": "2026-10-06T19:00:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}