President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has introduced sweeping leadership changes across several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University.
According to a statement from the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, these changes take effect immediately.
At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu has dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor. Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently serving as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. His role in Makurdi will be taken over by Senator Joy Emordi, the current Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
To replace Maikudi, President Tinubu has appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor position when it becomes available.
In another major decision, President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure was set to end on February 14. Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for a six-month term, under the same restriction preventing him from applying for the permanent role.
The restructuring at UNN also extends to the position of Pro-Chancellor. General Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned to the University of Uyo, while Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, formerly Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.
Additionally, Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, previously Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja. Senator Sani Stores has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Senator Joy Emordi. Stores is currently a Council Member at UNN.
Further appointments include Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a Council Member at UNN, who will now serve as the Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
Onanuga emphasized that all appointments and reassignments are effective immediately.
He added that President Tinubu remains committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability, with the restructuring aimed at strengthening governance and academic excellence within the nation’s tertiary institutions.
