Pat Stevens/
President Bola Tinubu has announced sweeping leadership changes across several federal universities, including the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.
The changes, effective immediately, are part of the administration’s drive to promote dynamic leadership and accountability in tertiary education.
At Yakubu Gowon University, the entire governing council has been dissolved, and Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi relieved of her position as Vice-Chancellor.
Senator Lanre Tejuoso, previously the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed as the institution’s new Pro-Chancellor. Senator Joy Emordi will take over Tejuoso’s former role in Makurdi, while Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been named Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term.
Manko is ineligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor role once the position becomes open.
Leadership changes extend to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has been removed as Acting Vice-Chancellor ahead of the end of his tenure on February 14. Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his replacement for six months, also ineligible for the permanent role.
In a parallel move, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned from his role as Pro-Chancellor of UNN to the University of Uyo, with Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo taking over as UNN’s new Pro-Chancellor. Ojo previously served in similar roles at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, the outgoing Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will assume duties at the Federal University of Lokoja. Senator Sani Stores, previously a Council Member at UNN, is now the Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi.
At Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, another Council Member from UNN, has been appointed as Pro-Chancellor.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to strengthening governance and academic excellence in Nigeria’s universities.
He noted that these strategic appointments and reassignments underscore a commitment to ensuring vibrant leadership and accountability in higher education institutions.
0