The Mask Falls Off His Face

In December last year, a group of aggrieved staff of the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) reached out to the New Age complaining about unfair and maltreatment by the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the MMTU Dr. Philip John Kanu for what they described as a treatment meted on them without any valid reason (s).
Several allegations were levelled against Dr. Philip John Kanu for which the New Age became sceptical but equally concerned to prove the validity or truthfulness of these accusations heaped on the head of just one man.
The staff in question, complained that in 2023, Dr. Philip John Kanu overturned the University Court decision on the principle: “Everybody in, no one out” on pretext that everyone should reapply, but that he clandestinely employed other people and removed those covered by the Court decision.
“Despite knowing the intent was to exclude us, we complied,” the aggrieved staff stated.
That since 2021 to 2025 they (staff) remained on contract while awaiting salary under the assured principle of- “Everyone in, no one out.”
That this action was taken by Dr. Kanu despite the fact that in 2021 when the status of the college was upgraded to university, a reassessment was done and the staff were interviewed and recategorization done by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
In a correspondence from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) to the Registrar of the MMTU addressing the Recategorization Status, it stated that following the transformation of the institution to the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), the University Court requested the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) to recategorize the staff based on the University Criteria/conditions of service. That the TEC completed the recategorization of the staff and presented its recommendations which was consequently approved by the University Court for placement at the category/status of Lecturer 2 at the MMTU.
The staff also claimed that in a meeting tagged as a family meeting held on 6th May 2025, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education reminded the MMTU administration to honor the recategorized list which falls on deaf ears.
Dr. Kanu is also accused of deducting Le3,000 each from the salaries of each lecturer for a training in capacity building at the Blue Crest College without their consent which was confirmed by an investigation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) noting that the deductions were improper.
Dr. Philip John Kanu stands accused of the above raised concerns among other issues and despite efforts made to reach him, there has been no response from him
Responding to our news alert publication, the Public Relations Officer of the MMTU Elizbeth S.V. Sesay acknowledged receipt of the New Age request for clarifications which she received through the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the MMTU.
“Please be informed that the university is currently on Christmas and New Year break. I am writing to assure you that immediately after the holiday period, I will formally respond on behalf of the university administration,” she assured.
Up to the time of this publication, there has been no response to the issues raised as was promised by the Public Relations Officer. More on this in subsequent editions.