President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced significant leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja (UNIAbuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University. At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor. Senator Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University. He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

A statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), which announced “significant leadership changes” at several federal universities, said to succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution for a six-month term. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.
Professor Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja. Senator Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Senator Joy Emordi. Senator Stores is a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Additionally, Barrister Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State. All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately. President Tinubu emphasized that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability. The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.