In a sweeping leadership overhaul, President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the governing councils of several federal universities, including Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), while replacing key leadership positions with immediate effect.
Professor Aisha Maikudi has been removed as Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University and replaced by Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. According to a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Manko will not be eligible to apply for the permanent role.
Additionally, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been reassigned as Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. His former role will now be taken over by Senator Joy Emordi, previously Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
At UNN, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Polycarp Chigbu has been relieved of his position before his term’s scheduled end on February 14. He will be succeeded by Professor Oguejiofu Ujam, who will serve in an acting capacity for six months without eligibility for the substantive position. The university’s Pro-Chancellor, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, has been reassigned to the University of Uyo, while Olubunmi Ojo takes over as the new Pro-Chancellor at UNN.
Further changes include:
- Professor Zubairu Abdullahi, previously Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, now appointed to the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja.
- Senator Sani Stores succeeding Joy Emordi as Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
- Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current council member at UNN, now serving as Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The presidency stated that these appointments and reassignments are effective immediately, underscoring Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing the country’s higher education sector through strategic leadership changes and governance reforms.
