STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP OVERHAUL AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled major leadership changes across several federal universities, including renaming the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, effective immediately.
At the newly named Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and removed Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as Vice-Chancellor. Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor at Yakubu Gowon University, while Senator Joy Emordi will succeed him in Makurdi.
Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor at Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term, and she will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
In further changes, Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has been removed from his role as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), ahead of his term’s end on February 14. He will be replaced by Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam, who will also serve for six months without eligibility for the permanent role.
The UNN leadership changes also include the reassignment of Gen. Ike Nwachukwu to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo, while Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo takes over as Pro-Chancellor at UNN. Ojo had previously served at the Federal University of Lokoja and Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, will replace Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja. Additionally, Senator Sani Stores is now the Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Senator Joy Emordi.
Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
All appointments and reassignments are effective immediately.
President Tinubu emphasized that these changes reflect his administration’s dedication to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and enhanced accountability, with the aim of strengthening governance and promoting academic excellence.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
February 3, 2025
