President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced major leadership changes across several federal universities, including the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.
The restructuring, which takes immediate effect, includes the dissolution of governing councils and the appointment of new vice-chancellors and pro-chancellors in key institutions.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy on Thursday, Tinubu said the changes were aimed at revitalising higher education and promoting accountability and excellence in university governance.
Leadership Changes at Yakubu Gowon University
At Yakubu Gowon University, the President dissolved the Governing Council and relieved Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.
Prof. Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month tenure, during which she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive position.
Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been reassigned to the same role at Yakubu Gowon University. He will be replaced in Makurdi by Sen. Joy Emordi, currently Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
Changes at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
At UNN, Prof. Polycarp Emeka Chigbu was removed as Acting Vice-Chancellor ahead of his tenure’s scheduled expiration on Feb. 14.
Prof. Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months but will not be eligible to apply for the substantive position.
In a related change, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned from his position as Pro-Chancellor of UNN to Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo.
He has been replaced at UNN by Engr. Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
Other Appointments
At the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof. Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, previously Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed as Pro-Chancellor.
For Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Sen. Sani Stores, a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor, succeeding Sen. Joy Emordi.
Additionally, Barr. Olugbenga Kukoyi, a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
President Tinubu emphasized that the leadership overhaul was part of his administration’s broader plan to strengthen governance and drive excellence in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
He assured that the appointments were made in the best interest of the institutions and would help reposition them for greater academic and administrative efficiency.
