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President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a major leadership reshuffle at several federal universities, signalling a renewed commitment to improving the nation’s higher education system.
The changes, which are effective immediately, will impact key positions across multiple institutions.
Among the most notable adjustments is the renaming of the University of Abuja, which will now be known as Yakubu Gowon University.
As part of the overhaul, President Tinubu has dissolved the entire governing council of the university and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.
In her place, Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. However, she will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position when it becomes available.
Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who is currently serving as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, will now assume the role of Pro-Chancellor at Yakubu Gowon University.
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He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, who will move from her current position as Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
In other changes, Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has been removed from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), ahead of the completion of his tenure, which was set to end on February 14.
Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as the new Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. Like his predecessor, Ujam will not be eligible for the permanent Vice-Chancellor role.
The leadership restructuring at UNN also includes a shift in the role of Pro-Chancellor.
Gen. Ike Nwachukwu will be reassigned to the position of Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo, while Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, who previously held similar roles at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of UNN.
Further changes see Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, stepping in as Ojo’s successor at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Meanwhile, Senator Sani Stores has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi.
In a final reshuffle, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
President Tinubu expressed that these leadership changes reflect his administration’s drive to revitalize the Nigerian higher education sector through robust leadership and enhanced accountability.
All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s commitment to a dynamic and forward-thinking educational system.
