There is a dramatic change in the leadership of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as President Bola Tinubu has relieved the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Polycarp Chigbu, of his post.
This was announced today, about eight days to the February 14 end of Chigbu’s tenure.
Professor Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
This is as Tinubu also on Thursday dissolved the entire governing council of the Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja), and relieved Professor Aisha Maikudi of her duties as its Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.
These were disclosed in a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga.
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 also appointed Olubunmi 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.
Meanwhile, Professor Zubairu Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Tinubu also appointed Senator Sani Stores as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi.
Stores is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Additionally, 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.
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,” Onanuga concluded.
Meanwhile, to succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term,.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu announces leadership overhaul at Federal Universities.’
“She (Prof. Manko) will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available,” he added.
He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
