By Hassanat Adebowale
President Bola Tinubu has announced a series of leadership changes at several federal universities, starting with the University of Abuja, which will now be known as Yakubu Gowon University. These changes take immediate effect, according to a statement released by the President’s spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
President Tinubu has dissolved the entire governing council at Yakubu Gowon University and relieved Prof. Aisha Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor. Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, who is currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. Sen. Joy Emordi will replace Tejuoso as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
In place of Prof. Maikudi, Prof. Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. Prof. Manko will not be eligible to apply for the permanent Vice-Chancellor position when it becomes available.
In addition, President Tinubu has removed Prof. Polycarp Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), ahead of the end of his tenure on Feb. 14. Prof. Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed to succeed him for a six-month term and will also not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
Leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo. President Tinubu has appointed Engr. Olubunmi 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. Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Sen. Sani Stores has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Sen. Joy Emordi. Stores will also now serve as a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Additionally, Mr. Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra.
“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately,” the statement from Mr. Onanuga read.
President Tinubu emphasized that these changes reflect his 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,” the statement concluded.
GI’s Legal Corner
The governance of federal universities in Nigeria is regulated under the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, often referred to as the Universities Autonomy Act. This law grants the President of Nigeria the authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors, and Governing Council members for federal universities, usually based on recommendations from university councils or governing bodies. However, such appointments must align with principles of merit, transparency, and fairness.
The President also holds the power to dissolve university councils when necessary, particularly in cases of administrative inefficiencies or policy reforms. These recent changes reflect the federal government’s constitutional role in overseeing and regulating higher education institutions to ensure they meet national educational standards.
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