By: Bayero Ade
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised significant changes in the leadership of federal universities, relieving Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her role as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, now renamed Yakubu Gowon University. Additionally, Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has been dismissed as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), ahead of the scheduled completion of his tenure on February 14.
According to Politics Nigeria, the announcement, confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, takes effect immediately. This reshuffle forms part of a broader reform initiative aimed at enhancing leadership, governance, and academic standards across Nigeria’s federal universities.
At Yakubu Gowon University, the President has dissolved the governing council and appointed Senator Lanre Tejuoso, former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as the new Pro-Chancellor. Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term, but she will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position. In a related change, Senator Joy Emordi, previously Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, has been reassigned to Tejuoso’s former position in Makurdi.
At UNN, Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month period, replacing Professor Chigbu, with the same restriction barring him from contesting for the permanent role. Furthermore, Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, who has served as Pro-Chancellor at both the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, will now take over as Pro-Chancellor at UNN, replacing Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, who has been reassigned to the University of Uyo. In another related change, Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, formerly Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will now serve at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Other appointments include Senator Sani Stores, named Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi, and Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current UNN council member, appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
President Tinubu reiterated that these leadership changes reflect his administration’s dedication to revitalising Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, with a focus on improving governance, accountability, and academic excellence.
Leave a Reply