By Ahmed Dan Asabe Lokoja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made significant changes to the leadership of several federal universities in Nigeria. According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi has been removed as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja (Yakubu Gowon University), and the entire governing council of the university has been dissolved with immediate effect.
To replace Maikudi, President Tinubu has appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. However, she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.
In another development, Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has been removed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), despite his tenure not ending until February 14. Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will also not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
The leadership changes at UNN also extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo. Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.
Other changes include the reassignment of Senator Lanre Tejuoso as Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University, and the appointment of Senator Joy Emordi as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Additionally, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Onanuga explained that these changes reflect President Tinubu's administration's commitment to revitalizing 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," he said.
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Education