In a significant shake-up within Nigeria’s higher education sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the removal of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi from her position as Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), now known as Yakubu Gowon University. This leadership overhaul extends to several federal universities across the country, according to statements from the presidency.
The decision to dissolve the entire governing council of Yakubu Gowon University and relieve Prof. Maikudi of her duties was made effective immediately, as confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Senator Lanre Tejuoso, previously the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University. He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, who now takes the pro-chancellorship at Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
To fill the vacancy left by Prof. Maikudi, President Tinubu has appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor for a six-month term. Prof. Manko will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position when it becomes available, indicating a clear intention for fresh leadership in the institution.
In a similar vein, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his role as Acting Vice-Chancellor before his term was due to end on February 14. Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for a six-month term, also without eligibility to apply for the permanent position.
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The leadership reshuffle also affects the pro-chancellorship at UNN, where General Ike Nwachukwu has been reassigned to the University of Uyo, and Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo is appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor.
These abrupt changes have sparked mixed reactions within the academic community. Some stakeholders welcome the move as a necessary step to inject new leadership into the system, while others question the suddenness of the decisions and the exclusion of acting vice-chancellors from future consideration for permanent roles.
The restructuring comes at a time when Nigerian universities are grappling with challenges like funding shortages, strikes, and governance issues.
