President Bola Tinubu has approved a major shake-up in the leadership of several federal universities, including the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who noted that the new appointments and reassignments take immediate effect.
As part of the restructuring, Tinubu dissolved the governing council of Yakubu Gowon University and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor. He appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term, with a directive that she would not be eligible to apply for the substantive position.
The President also appointed Senator Lanre Tejuoso as the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. Tejuoso, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi. Emordi, in turn, vacates her position as Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, where she will be replaced by Senator Sani Stores, a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
At UNN, Tinubu removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu as Acting Vice-Chancellor before the expiration of his tenure on 14 February. He appointed Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam to replace him for a six-month term, also with the condition that he would not be eligible for the substantive role. Changes were also made at the level of Pro-Chancellors.
The Pro-Chancellor of UNN, General Ike Nwachukwu, has been reassigned to the University of Uyo, while Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been named the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, the outgoing Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed as Ojo’s successor at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Additionally, Tinubu appointed Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at UNN, as the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
The President stated that the changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through “dynamic leadership and accountability.” He added that the restructuring aims to strengthen governance and promote academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
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