…Announces leadership overhaul at Federal varsities
By Dwelleth Morountodun
In what appeared a political masterstroke that settles it all, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday announced significant leadership changes at several Federal Universities, very prominent is the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University that several controversies and petitions have trailed over the appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as Vice Chancellor (VC).
The changes are effective immediately, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated in a press release Thursday.
The statement further read: “At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Prof. 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.”
While, Prof. 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.
Also Prof. Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
He said: “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, Barr. 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.
President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability, adding that the restructuring is aimed at strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
