Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
ARISE News has announced the immediate and indefinite exclusion of political analyst Anthony Kila from its television channel and other platforms following allegations concerning his academic qualifications raised by an investigative report published by Premium Times.
The decision was announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in a disclaimer issued by the news network’s Editorial Board and titled “Investigation: Anthony Kila’s ‘Degrees’.”
In the statement, ARISE News said it had contacted Kila on October 3 to present the allegations and give him an opportunity to respond. The network said he requested additional time but had not provided a response 10 days after the initial contact.
“He has not responded 10 days after. Instead, the allegations have gotten worse,” the statement said.
The network added that the circumstances had made it untenable for Kila to continue appearing on its programmes.
“In the circumstances, we find that his contributions to The ARISE News Channel are no longer tenable,” the Editorial Board stated.
ARISE News said it was unaware of the allegations when Kila appeared on its programmes as a freelance political analyst, stressing that it took issues of credibility and integrity seriously.
The network said it had taken note of the findings of the Premium Times investigation and that Kila would no longer appear on its platforms, either now or in the future, with immediate effect.
The decision followed investigations by Premium Times that questioned Kila’s publicly claimed academic qualifications, including his use of a professorial title. A follow-up report published on October 10 raised further questions about his claimed qualifications from bachelor’s degree level through postgraduate and doctoral credentials.
The controversy has also affected Kila’s position at Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State, where he served as pro-chancellor. According to Premium Times, the university asked him to step aside pending an investigation into his professorial status.
The newspaper also reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had constituted a team to investigate the allegations and whether the university benefited from any alleged misrepresentation.
Kila had previously told Premium Times that he was compiling his academic and professional documents and contacting the institutions concerned. ARISE News, however, said he had not responded to the allegations it presented to him on October 3.
The allegations remain distinct from any final determination of wrongdoing. ARISE News’ announcement concerns its decision to stop featuring Kila, while the reported university and anti-corruption inquiries are separate processes.
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