By Abigail Philip David
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday announced the dissolution of the governing council at Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja) and the immediate removal of Professor Aisha Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor.
In a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was revealed that Professor Patricia Manko has been appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. However, Manko will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position once it becomes available.
The President also appointed Senator Lanre Tejuoso, the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. Senator Joy Emordi will take over Tejuoso’s role in Makurdi and will also serve as Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
In addition, President Tinubu removed Professor Polycarp Chigbu from his role as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ahead of his planned term ending on February 14. Professor Oguejiofu Ujam has been named as his six-month successor, also ineligible for the permanent role.
Leadership changes at UNN include the reassignment of Gen. Ike Nwachukwu as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo. Olubunmi Ojo, formerly Pro-Chancellor at the Federal University of Lokoja and Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor at UNN.
Professor Zubairu Abdullahi, the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will replace Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Furthermore, Senator Sani Stores has been appointed as Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Senator Joy Emordi. Stores is also a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Finally, Olugbenga Kukoyi, a Council Member at UNN, will now serve as the Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
All of these appointments and reassignments take effect immediately. President Tinubu emphasized that the changes are part of his administration’s effort to strengthen leadership and improve governance and academic standards in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
