Power Belongs to God: Prof Aisha Maikudi Emphasizes Resilience After Removal as UNIABUJA VC
The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Maikudi, has urged staff and family members to remain resilient and focused in the wake of her removal from office, asserting that leadership is temporary and ultimately governed by divine will of God.
President Bola Tinubu recently dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Abuja and relieved Professor Maikudi of her duties. This change was announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
PRNigeria learnt that while counseling her staff and well wishers —many of whom appeared visibly emotional—Professor Maikudi reassured them that her departure should not be regarded as a personal loss. “Power belongs to Allah. My removal was announced, but not my death,” she stated, encouraging her colleagues to remain steadfast in their commitments.
She further proclaimed, “God is the best of planners. While we may not always understand His intentions right away, we will eventually see the wisdom in them, inshaAllah. When I was made a professor at 38, acting Vice-Chancellor at 40, and confirmed as substantive VC at 41, I did not question His timing. We shouldn’t do so now. Let’s express gratitude for His mercies and blessings upon us.”
Following her removal, President Tinubu appointed Lanre Tejuoso as the Pro-Chancellor of the University and Professor Patricia Manko as the acting Vice-Chancellor for a six-month term. These appointments signal a new chapter for the institution, which has recently been renamed Yakubu Gowon University (YGU).
PRNigeria reports that Professor Maikudi’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor saw her achieve numerous significant milestones. She was appointed as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja on December 31, 2024, after emerging as the top candidate from a competitive selection process involving ten shortlisted applicants. Her appointment commenced on January 1, 2025, for a non-renewable five-year term.
Before her official tenure, Professor Maikudi served as the acting Vice-Chancellor from July 5, 2024, during a critical period when she collaborated closely with the Governing Council to stabilize the university. Her leadership during this time garnered widespread praise for its effectiveness and dedication.
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Born on January 31, 1983, in Katsina State, Professor Maikudi is a distinguished scholar and an expert in International Law. Her academic journey began at Sacred Heart School in Kaduna, where she completed her primary education in 1993. She then attended Queens College in Yaba, Lagos, where she obtained her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 1999.
Her pursuit of academic excellence led her to the University of Reading, where she earned an LLB in 2004. She specialized in Public International Law, obtaining her LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005. After completing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School from 2006 to 2007, she pursued a PhD in International Law at the University of Abuja, earning the degree in 2015.
Professor Maikudi joined the University of Abuja as a Lecturer II on September 4, 2008, and rapidly ascended the academic ranks to become a professor in 2021. Throughout her career, she broke barriers, becoming the first female Head of Department in 2013, the first female Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law in 2018, and the pioneer Director of the University of Abuja International Centre in 2019. She also served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), where she significantly enhanced academic standards and fostered a culture of excellence.
Contributions to Academia and Beyond
An innovator in her field, Professor Maikudi introduced the ‘United Nations Law’ course at the University of Abuja in 2019, underpinned by extensive research and numerous publications in academic journals and book chapters. She has supervised a multitude of theses and dissertations, contributing significantly to the advancement of legal scholarship.
Her influence extends beyond Nigeria through her representation at numerous national and international conferences, workshops, and training sessions across the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, China, Ghana, and Egypt. Through her presentations, she has solidified her reputation as a global academic leader.
Professor Maikudi is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Law Teachers Association (NLTA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and the Nigerian Society of International Law.
While her tenure as Vice-Chancellor may have been brief, Professor Maikudi’s leadership catalyzed significant progress and transformation at the University of Abuja. Although her departure marks the conclusion of a significant chapter, her legacy of excellence, resilience, and faith will continue to inspire the university community.
As the institution transitions under new leadership, Professor Maikudi’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of power and the importance of steadfast faith amid change.
By PRNigeria
