Tinubu Unseats UniAbuja, UNN VCs, Reshuffles Pro-Chancellors

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, dismissed the Vice-Chancellors of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), while also dissolving the governing council of Yakubu Gowon University as part of a major shake-up in federal universities.

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

At Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Aisha Maikudi was relieved of her position as Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.

To replace her, President Tinubu appointed Prof. Patricia Manko as acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term, with a condition that she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive position when it becomes available.

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

Senator Joy Emordi, the current Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, will take over from Tejuoso at Makurdi.

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

He has been replaced by Prof.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

The reshuffle at UNN extends to its Pro-Chancellor position, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo.

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

Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, the current Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, succeeding Ojo.

Senator Sani Stores, a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, replacing Emordi.

Olugbenga Kukoyi, another Council Member at UNN, has been named the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

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

President Tinubu emphasised that the overhaul reflected his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.

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