In a move aimed at reshaping leadership across Nigeria’s federal universities, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed key university administrators and appointed new ones to temporary roles. The government has framed these changes as necessary to enhance governance and academic performance in the country’s higher education system.
University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University)
- Governing Council Dissolution: The university’s governing council has been dissolved.
- Vice-Chancellor Replacement: Professor Aisha Maikudi has been relieved of her duties, with Professor Patricia Manko appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor for six months. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive position.
- Pro-Chancellor: Senator Lanre Tejuoso, previously at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed as Pro-Chancellor. He is succeeded at Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, former Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
- Acting Vice-Chancellor Replacement: Professor Polycarp Chigbu has been removed ahead of the scheduled end of his term on February 14. Professor Oguejiofu Ujam has been named Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term and will not be eligible for the permanent role.
- Pro-Chancellor: General Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned to the University of Uyo. Olubunmi Ojo, previously holding Pro-Chancellor roles at two other universities, takes over as UNN’s Pro-Chancellor.
Additional Appointments
- Federal University of Lokoja: Professor Zubairu Abdullahi is now Pro-Chancellor, succeeding Olubunmi Ojo.
Alvan Ikoku University of Education: Senator Sani Stores, a former council member at UNN, has been named Pro-Chancellor. - Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka: Olugbenga Kukoyi, also a former UNN council member, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor.
The government has presented these restructuring efforts as part of a broader strategy to improve governance and academic standards at federal institutions. Whether these stated aims will be realized remains to be seen.