Amid the crisis of confidence that has raged on for several months, President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, dissolved the entire Governing Council of the Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja) and relieved Professor Aisha Maikudi of her duties as its Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.
The President’s decision was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which stated that; “To succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term”.
The statement titled; “President Tinubu Announces Leadership Overhaul At Federal Universities”, further added; “She (Prof. Manko) will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available”.
This is as the President also approved the appointment of Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.
Senator Tejuoso will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, who is currently Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
In addition, Tinubu has relieved Professor Polycarp Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before his tenure ends on February 14.
Professor Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
Similarly, the leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.
Tinubu also appointed Olubunmi Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
Meanwhile, Professor Zubairu Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Tinubu also appointed Senator Sani Stores as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. Stores is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Additionally, Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
According to the Presidency; “All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately”, even as the President stressed that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.
The statement said; “The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector”.
