By Prof. John Tyavbee Ajai
Prof. Umahi – Oct. 08, 2025
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, recently described himself as a “Professor in Practice.” To the ordinary ear, this might sound harmless. But within the academy, it is a matter of grave concern. Professorship is not a casual label; it is the peak of intellectual labour and moral responsibility.
Mr. Umahi’s biography is well known. Born on July 25, 1964, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, he attended Ishiagu High School and Government Secondary School, Afikpo. He later obtained a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in 1987.
After graduation, he made his mark in business and politics. He co-founded Norman Engineering and Construction Ltd. in 1990 and chaired several private enterprises before venturing fully into public life. These are commendable achievements. But they do not amount to a professorial career.
Professorship is not an honorific. It is earned through decades of teaching, research, mentorship, and peer-reviewed publications. In some countries, a “Professor of Practice” title is formally granted to outstanding professionals who enrich the classroom with real-world experience. Even then, it is a documented and institutional appointment — never self-conferred or politically assumed.
In Nigeria, there is no such framework. The phrase “Professor in Practice” carries no legal or academic weight. By adopting it, Mr. Umahi risks diminishing the struggles of Nigerian academics who have spent decades building their careers through hard work and sacrifice.
The timing is even more troubling. Another serving minister, Uche Nnaji, currently faces allegations of certificate forgery. Together, these episodes point to a disturbing disregard for truth and integrity at the highest levels of government. When misrepresentation becomes normalised in public office, the very fabric of society is threatened.
The way forward is simple. If Mr. Umahi truly holds a professorial appointment, let him present the institution, the field, the date, and the official letter. If not, he owes the public a withdrawal of the claim and an apology. Nothing less will do.
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Our universities already suffer underfunding, brain drain, and low morale. Their dignity must not be eroded further by political theatrics. Professorship is not a badge of privilege; it is a lifetime of devotion to knowledge and truth.
Nigeria cannot restore its moral and intellectual foundations if truth itself is negotiable. Those who serve the nation must first serve the truth.
