Questions have emerged over the academic title of Anthony Kila, the Pro-Chancellor of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), following an investigation into his professorial claims.
Anthony Kila has for years been publicly described as a professor and, in some profiles, as a “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development”.
However, the investigation found no evidence that a recognised university has awarded him the academic rank of professor.
Anthony Kila was appointed Pro-Chancellor of MCIU in August 2025. As Pro-Chancellor, he chairs the university’s governing council, which is responsible for overseeing the institution’s administration, policies, finances and assets.
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Questions Over Academic Profile
Anthony Kila has appeared in several Nigerian media interviews where he was addressed as “Professor”.
Different publications have also described him as a professor of political science or as a “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development”.
The investigation, however, found no record of a recognised academic institution conferring a professorial title on him.
It also raised questions about some of the academic qualifications and positions listed in profiles associated with Anthony Kila, including those published on the MCIU and Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) websites.
In response to questions about his professorship, Anthony Kila said he was awarded the title in 2016 by the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies (ECAPS), which he said was based in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
However, searches of official corporate records in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, alongside online searches, reportedly produced no evidence of the institution.
No official website, social media accounts, verifiable address or identifiable alumni of the institution were found.
The university, when contacted about the issue, said it had no evidence to establish that Anthony Kila was not a professor.
A spokesperson for the institution said the university would respond if there was a need to do so after the publication of the report.
“We do not debate issues. You can publish whatever you are publishing. If there is a need to respond, we will respond when we see the article,” the spokesperson said.
Questions have also been raised over Anthony Kila’s use of the title “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development”.
The Jean Monnet title is associated with the European Union’s Jean Monnet Actions, a programme supporting teaching, research and debate on European integration.
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency, which administers the programme, said Anthony Kila does not appear in its publicly available records as a Jean Monnet project coordinator since 2015.
The agency said that, based on the period covered by its publicly available coordinator records, Kila had not been listed as holding the role.
Jean-Marc Trouille, a professor and co-chair of the AfriquEurope Jean Monnet Network, also questioned the likelihood of Kila holding a Jean Monnet Chair award.
Trouille said his search found that the Jean Monnet activity in Nigeria he was aware of was based at the University of Lagos, where Kila was not listed among the team.
Anthony Kila reportedly acknowledged that he was not associated with the Jean Monnet actions but did not explain how he came to use the title.
What The Professorial Rank Requires
Professorship is the highest academic rank in Nigerian universities and is normally attained through an established academic promotion process.
The National Universities Commission requires consideration of factors including academic qualifications, teaching and research experience, publications, postgraduate supervision and contributions to knowledge.
A doctorate in the relevant field is among the basic requirements, followed by years of teaching, research and community service across the academic ranks.
Ahmad Galadima, a professor and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, said candidates for professorship are assessed at several levels before their records are subjected to external review by senior academics.
He said publications, teaching, administrative experience and community service are among the factors considered.
“When the requirements are fully satisfied, their CVs are sent for external assessment. Two positive responses are required to promote the staff to the rank,” Ahmad Galadima said.
The investigation found no evidence that Anthony Kila had taught at a university in Nigeria or abroad or that he had authored peer-reviewed academic journals.
The findings have consequently raised questions about the professorial title attached to his name and some of the academic credentials contained in his professional profiles.
Anthony Kila remains the Pro-Chancellor of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University.
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