UniAbuja, UNN Get New Leaders As Tinubu Shakes Up University Governance

President Bola Tinubu has made significant changes to the leadership of several federal universities in Nigeria.

In a move aimed at revitalizing the country’s higher education system, Tinubu relieved Professor Aisha Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbuja) and appointed Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term.

According to a statement on Thursday issued by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, “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 also noted that Professor Manko “will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.”

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Similar changes were made at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where Professor Polycarp Chigbu was relieved of his duties as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Oguejiofu Ujam was appointed as his successor for a six-month term.

The leadership changes also extended to the role of Pro-Chancellor at several universities, including Yakubu Gowon University, UNN, and the Federal University of Lokoja.

Tinubu emphasized that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to strengthening governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

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