President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, and replaced her with Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor for six months.
In a press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) and dated February 3, 2025, Manko will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.
The statement titled, President Tinubu Announces Leadership Overhaul at Federal Universities”, said that Tinubu has carried out significant leadership changes at several federal universities.
According to the statement, six federal universities are affected: University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Alvan Ikoku University of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
The statement noted that Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University, while Senator Joy Emordi was redeployed from Alvan Ikoku University of Education to University of Agriculture, Makurdi, as Pro-Chancellor.
Similar to Yakubu Gowon University, the President has also sacked Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu 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.
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.
