Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has sacked the Vice Chancellors of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and the University of Abuja, now known as the Yakubu Gowon University, while making changes across other Federal institutions.
Tinubu, in what was described as significant leadership changes, dissolved the entire governing council on the Yakubu Gowon University while also relieving its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Sani, of her duty.
This was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
As contained in the statement, Prof. Lar Manko will replace Prof. Sani at the Yakubu Gowon University as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term.
In a similar development, Tinubu reshuffled the leadership of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reassigning its Pro-Chancellor, Gen. Ike Nwachuwkwu, to the University of Uyo while replacing him with Engr. Olubunmi Ojo.
Tinubu’s leadership reshuffling also affected other Federal government- owned tertiary institutions which include, Federal University of Lokoja, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, amongst others.
The statement read in part; “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.
“These changes are effective immediately.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.
“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.”