President Tinubu Announces Leadership Changes at Several Federal Universities
President Bola Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, says the changes are effective immediately.
Accordingly, the President dissolved the entire Governing Council of the Yakubu Gowon University and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.
The current Pro-Chancellor of University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.
The statement says he will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, the current Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
To succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu has appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term.
The statement explains that she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.
The President has also removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before the expiration of his tenure on February 14.
Professor Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
According to the statement, the leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with the re-assignment of General Ike Nwachukwu to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.
Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN, who previously held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Senator Sani Stores, who is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi.
Consequently, Mr. Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
The statement says President Tinubu emphasises that the changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.
It explains that the restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Abdullah Bello
