President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the governing councils of several federal universities and sacked the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), Professor Aisha Maikudi, with immediate effect.
The decision, announced on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, also saw the appointment of Professor Patricia Manko as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university for a six-month term. However, she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor position when it becomes available.
Additionally, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has now been appointed as Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. His former position in Makurdi will now be occupied by Senator Joy Emordi, who was previously the Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
Major Shake-up at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
President Tinubu has also relieved Professor Polycarp Chigbu of his role as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure’s scheduled end on February 14.
In his place, Professor Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor for the next six months but will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
The shake-up at UNN also extends to the Pro-Chancellor position, as Gen. Ike Nwachukwu has now been reassigned to the University of Uyo. Taking his place at UNN is Olubunmi Ojo, who was previously Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
Meanwhile, Professor Zubairu Abdullahi, the outgoing Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja.
Similarly, Senator Sani Stores, who was a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Senator Joy Emordi.
In another major appointment, Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at UNN, has been named the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately,” the presidency confirmed, underscoring the administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Onanuga said President Tinubu’s leadership overhaul aims to strengthen governance, ensure accountability, and drive academic excellence across federal institutions.
“The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” he concluded.
