President Bola Tinubu has approved leadership changes in several federal universities as part of his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system by fostering dynamic leadership and accountability.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Thursday, indicated that the changes, which took immediate effect in the affected universities, affected key positions at the University of Abuja (now renamed Yakubu Gowon University) the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other institutions.
At the UniAbuja, the entire governing council was dissolved and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi was sacked and replaced by Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, who was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term but will be eligible to apply for the substantive position when it becomes available.
Also, the former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, was appointed as Pro-Chancellor of the university while Sen. Joy Emordi was appointed as his replacement as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Polycarp Emeka, was relieved of his post before the expiration of his tenure on February 14 and was replaced by Prof. Oguejiofu Ujam, who will serve in an acting capacity for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the substantive role.
Other affected by the changes include Mr. Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, and now takes over at UNN while former position at Lokoja had been filled by Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, who was previously Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.
Senator Sani Stores, formerly a council member at UNN, has been named Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, and he is taking over from Senator Emordi while Olugbenga Kukoyi, a former UNN council member, has been appointed as the Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
