- Makes Sweeping Changes In Other Varsities
THE FEDERAL government, on Thursday, removed Prof Aisha Sani Maikudi as the vice chancellor of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), as well as the institution’s Governing Council.
Prof Maikudi and the Council’s sack is contained in a press statement personally signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, entitled: “Federal Government Announces Major Restructuring of Governing Councils and Leadership Across Federal Universities”.
The statement reads in part: “In a significant move aimed at strengthening governance and leadership in Nigeria’s Federal universities, the Federal Government has approved a major restructuring involving the dissolution, reassignment, and appointment of key officials across some institutions.”
It could be recalled that the appointment of Prof. Maikudi, which was announced on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 , had been trailed by persistent protests by majority of the members of the university’s Senate and Council, who argue that she is not qualified and that the processes leading to her appointment were flawed.
Another Acting VC for UNIABUJA
To replace Maikudi as acting Vice Chancellor is Prof. Lar Patricia Manko, who is to serve for six months, and will be ineligible to vie for the substantive vice chancellorship position, Sani-Gwarzo’s statement revealed.
The federal government also appointed Senator Lanre Tejuoso as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNIABUJA, which was recently renamed Yakubu Gowon University, with the legislative process to formalise the name change underway at the National Assembly.
“The Federal Government has dissolved the entire Governing Council, both external and internal. Senator Lanre Tejuoso has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor, transitioning from his previous role as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
“Additionally, Prof. Lar Patricia Manko has been appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month tenure with the condition that she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor position whenever it is advertised by the Governing Council. Furthermore, Prof. Maikudi has been removed as the Vice Chancellor,” the statement reads.
Other appointments
In another major development, Dr Sani-Gwarzo also announced the removal of Prof. Polycarp Emeka Chigbu as acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), with Prof. Oguejiofu T. Ujam, announced as his successor for six months.
The leadership changes at UNN also saw the reassignment of Gen. Ike Nwachukwu to the University of Uyo as Pro-Chancellor, while Engr Olubunmi Kayode Ojo moves to UNN as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.
Prof. Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.
Other appointments include Senator Sani Stores as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi, and Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi as the new Pro-Chancellor Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
According to Dr Sani-Gwarzo, the changes are aimed at “enhancing the goverance structures in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, ensuring transparency, accountability, and excellence in university administration.
