Tinubu Sacks Nigeria’s Youngest Female University Vice-Chancellor
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, dissolved the governing council of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja) and relieved Professor Aisha Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect.
PRNigeria reports that Professor Maikudi, a distinguished professor of law, holds the record as the youngest female Vice-Chancellor in any Nigerian university having been born on 31st January 1983. She was 41 when she was appointed UniAbuja’s VC in 2024.
To replace Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month tenure. However, Manko will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor position when it becomes available, according to a statement released by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement, titled *‘President Tinubu Announces Leadership Overhaul at Federal Universities,’* outlined additional appointments and reassignments across various institutions.
Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently 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 currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.
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In a related development, Tinubu removed Professor Polycarp Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) before his tenure’s official end on February 14. He has been replaced by Professor Oguejiofu Ujam, who will serve for six months but will not be eligible for the substantive role.
Further leadership changes at UNN include the reassignment of General Ike Nwachukwu as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, while Olubunmi Ojo, formerly the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN.
Additionally, Professor Zubairu Abdullahi, previously the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been named as Ojo’s successor at the Federal University of Lokoja.
At Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Senator Sani Stores has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor, taking over from Senator Joy Emordi. Stores previously served as a Council Member at UNN.
Moreover, Olugbenga Kukoyi, a Council Member at UNN, has been appointed as the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
“All appointments and reassignments are effective immediately,” the presidency confirmed.
President Tinubu emphasised that these changes are part of his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system by ensuring dynamic leadership and enhanced accountability.
“This restructuring aims to strengthen governance and promote academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” Onanuga concluded.
By PRNigeria
