President Tinubu
UniAbuja VC, Aisha Maikudi, Sacked, As President Tinubu Makes Sweeping Changes In Universities
President Bola Tinubu has removed the Vice Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja, and dissolved the Governing Council of the university.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said, “The President also announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities”.
The statement stated that, “In addition, President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.”
According to the statement, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.
Tejuoso will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for onlu six months and will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.
Also, President Tinubu appointed Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam to succeed
Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu at UNN for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
The leadership changes at UNN affected Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu at UNN who has been reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.
President Tinubu also appointed Engineer Olubunmi Kayode 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.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Senator Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. Senator Stores is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Also, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.
President Tinubu, who stated that all appointments and reappointments are effective immediately, stressed that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.
The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Full text of Tinubu’s statement:
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.
These changes are effective immediately.
At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.
Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University. He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
To succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.
In addition, President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.
Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
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. President Tinubu appointed Engineer Olubunmi Kayode 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.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Senator Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. Senator Stores is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Additionally, Barrister 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.
All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.
President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.
The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
February 6, 2025.
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