Tinubu Dismisses UniAbuja and UNN VCs, Reassigns Pro-Chancellors

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the Vice-Chancellors of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), while also dissolving the governing council of Yakubu Gowon University as part of a significant restructuring of federal universities.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the leadership changes in a statement titled “President Tinubu Announces Leadership Overhaul at Federal Universities” on Thursday.

At Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Aisha Maikudi was removed from her role as Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.

To fill the position, President Tinubu appointed Prof. Patricia Manko as acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month period, with the condition that she will not be eligible to apply for the permanent role once it becomes available.

Additionally, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been reassigned as the Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University.

Senator Joy Emordi, the existing Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, has been appointed to replace Tejuoso at Makurdi.

At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu was removed as acting Vice-Chancellor, even though his tenure was originally set to conclude on February 14.

He has been succeeded by Prof. Oguejiofu Ujam, who will serve as acting Vice-Chancellor for six months but will also not be eligible for the permanent position.

The leadership changes at UNN also include a reassignment for its Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu now appointed as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo.

Olubunmi Ojo, who previously held the role of Pro-Chancellor at both the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.

Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, currently serving as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has now been named the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, succeeding Ojo.

Senator Sani Stores, a member of UNN’s governing council, has been appointed as the Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Emordi.

Olugbenga Kukoyi, another member of UNN’s governing council, has been assigned as the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Anambra State.

According to the Presidency, all appointments and reassignments are to take immediate effect.

President Tinubu emphasized that the restructuring reflects his administration’s dedication to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system by introducing dynamic leadership and ensuring accountability.

“This restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” Onanuga said.