BREAKING: Tinubu Removes Maikudi as UniAbuja VC, Appoints Chigbu Acting VC UNN

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced key leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), effective immediately.

According to a statement released by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Thursday afternoon, the changes are part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve accountability in Nigeria’s higher education system.

At Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja), President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and removed Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi from her position as Vice-Chancellor. In her place, he appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. Professor Manko is not eligible to apply for the permanent Vice-Chancellor position once it becomes available.

In addition to these changes, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who is currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. He will be succeeded by Senator Joy Emordi, now named Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his role as Acting Vice-Chancellor, ahead of the end of his tenure on February 14. He will be replaced by Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam, who will serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months. Like his predecessor, Professor Ujam will not be eligible to apply for the permanent role.

The leadership changes at UNN also extend to the Pro-Chancellor position. Gen. Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned to Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, while Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo has been appointed 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.

Furthermore, Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, who is the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will succeed Ojo as Pro-Chancellor at the Federal University of Lokoja.

Senator Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Senator Joy Emordi, and Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.

All of these appointments and reassignments are effective immediately.

In the statement, President Tinubu emphasized that these leadership changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system by ensuring dynamic leadership and accountability. The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and enhance academic excellence across the nation’s universities, according to Onanuga.