President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Yakubu Gowon University, hitherto known as the University of Abuja, and the removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi.
A press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the development was part of “significant leadership changes at several federal universities.”
Affirming that the changes are effective immediately, Onanuga said: “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.”
The statement said the President has also removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as the 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.”
Onanuga said all the appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.
He added: “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.”
It would be recalled that Aisha Sani Maikudi, a Professor of Law from Katsina State, emerged as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja on June 27, 2024.
The Senate of the university elected her in acting capacity at its valedictory session following the end of the tenure of Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah as the 6th Vice-Chancellor of the university on June 30, 2024 pending the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council and the appointment of a substantive VC.
The then 41-year-old Maikudi, a Professor of International Law, was the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the institution before her appointment.
