Tinubu reshuffles leadership in federal universities to strengthen governance

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

According to the statement, the leadership changes take effect immediately.

At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and removed Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor. He appointed Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. His previous role in Makurdi will now be taken over by Senator Joy Emordi, who was the Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. However, she will not be eligible to apply for the permanent Vice-Chancellor position when it becomes available.

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In another major move, Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu was removed as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), ahead of his tenure’s official expiration on February 14.

His replacement, Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam, will serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months and will not be eligible for a permanent appointment.

Leadership changes at UNN also include the reassignment of Gen. Ike Nwachukwu as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo. President Tinubu has appointed Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.

Ojo previously served in the same role at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, formerly Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will now take over Ojo’s previous role as Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja.

Senator Sani Stores has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Senator Joy Emordi. Stores previously served as a Council Member at UNN.

Additionally, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, who was a Council Member at UNN, has been named the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.

President Tinubu emphasized that these changes align with his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system by promoting accountability and dynamic leadership.

The restructuring aims to enhance governance and academic excellence across the country’s tertiary institutions.