By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Scrutiny over political analyst Anthony Kila’s academic credentials has intensified following reports that multiple universities have refuted his degree claims, spanning from his undergraduate studies to his doctorate.
Among the questioned qualifications are a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from the Università per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy, as well as a PhD from the University of Perugia.
Other disputed credentials include a postgraduate diploma in Media and Communication from the University of Essex, a Master of Science from City University London, and an MBA from Aston University.
An investigation revealed that Aston University has no record of Kila ever pursuing an MBA, while the University of Essex stated it never offered the diploma program listed on his profile.
Additionally, City St George’s University confirmed he enrolled in a Banking and International Finance program but was deregistered prior to completion.
Other institutions also challenged claims concerning the degrees and programmes listed in Kila’s academic history.
The revelations have prompted ARISE News Channel to stop featuring Kila, who had appeared several times on the network as a freelance political analyst.
The Network disclosed in a statement obtained by PerSecondNews that it contacted Kila on October 3, 2026, over the allegations and requested his response.
According to ARISE News, Kila asked for more time to respond but had not replied 10 days after being contacted.
It added that the allegations had worsened during that period, making his continued contributions to the channel untenable.
“ARISE News was unaware of these allegations at the time Anthony Kila appeared on our platform and as we take matters of credibility and integrity extremely seriously,” the network said.
It added that the network had taken note of the findings of the PREMIUM TIMES investigation and would not feature Kila on its platforms “at any time now or in future,” effective immediately.
In its initial investigation, published on October 3, PREMIUM TIMES found no evidence that a recognised academic institution had awarded Kila the professorial title he had publicly used for years.
The report also raised questions about his academic profiles on the websites of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University and the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies.
A follow-up investigation published on October 10 reported discrepancies in Kila’s claimed academic qualifications, from his bachelor’s degree to his doctorate.
The controversy has also prompted action by Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State, where Kila served as pro-chancellor from August 2025.
The university asked him to step aside pending an investigation into his professorial status, citing its commitment to academic integrity and institutional governance.
PerSecondNews reports that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has also constituted a team to investigate the allegations against Kila and whether the university benefited from his actions.
In a response previously reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Kila indicated that he was compiling his academic and professional documents and contacting the institutions concerned.
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