President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has announced sweeping changes in the leadership of several federal universities across the country. As part of the restructuring, the University of Abuja has been renamed Yakubu Gowon University, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
The decision, which takes effect immediately, was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The statement highlighted a series of leadership changes, including the dissolution of governing councils and the replacement of key officials in major institutions.
At Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi has been relieved of her duties as Vice-Chancellor. In her place, Professor Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. However, she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive position when the appointment process begins. Additionally, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who previously served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been reassigned as Pro-Chancellor of the newly renamed institution. His former role at Makurdi will now be filled by Senator Joy Emordi, previously Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu has been removed as Acting Vice-Chancellor before the official expiration of his tenure on February 14, 2025. He will be replaced by Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam, who has been appointed for an interim period of six months. Like his counterpart at Yakubu Gowon University, Ujam will also be ineligible to apply for the permanent role. In a further leadership reshuffle at UNN, General Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned from his role as Pro-Chancellor to take up the same position at the University of Uyo. Meanwhile, Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo, previously the Pro-Chancellor at Federal University of Lokoja and Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor at UNN.
The restructuring extends beyond these institutions. At the Federal University of Lokoja, Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, previously the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to replace Ojo. Similarly, at Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Senator Sani Stores, formerly a council member at UNN, has been named the new Pro-Chancellor, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. Furthermore, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, another former council member at UNN, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
President Tinubu emphasized that these changes are part of his administration’s broader efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s higher education system by introducing dynamic leadership, improving governance, and ensuring accountability. The restructuring, according to Onanuga, is aimed at enhancing academic excellence and strengthening the management of federal universities in the country.
