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.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday afternoon, the changes were effective immediately.

At Yakubu Gowon University (formerly UniAbua), 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.

To succeed Prof. Maikudi, Onanuga said President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term. She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.

In addition, President Tinubu has removed Professor Polycarp Emeka Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.

Professor Oguejiofu T. Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.

The leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo. President Tinubu appointed Engineer Olubunmi Kayode Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

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 emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising 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,” Onanuga added.

Senior professors at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) have expressed their outrage over the minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa’s refusal to meet with them regarding the vice-chancellor appointment crisis.
The professors, numbering over 43, lamented that despite multiple attempts to secure a meeting with the minister, they have been left frustrated as the situation continues to deteriorate without intervention.
Speaking in an interview with LEADERSHIP following their neglect at the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday, one of the professors, Prof. Edmund Joseph Nwana, expressed frustration over being repeatedly denied a meeting despite three attempts.

He emphasised the urgency of involving senior professors to address the deteriorating situation at the university, particularly the breakdown of irregularities in the appointment of the vice chancellor.

According to him, they left a note on Tuesday in the hope of being contacted by the minister.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the minister of Education, Alausa, had invited the aggrieved professors for a meeting over their complaints regarding the protest against the appointment of Prof. Aisha Maikudi as the substantive Vice-Chancellor, but eventually refused to meet with them.
The meeting was scheduled for 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 28.

However, after over 15 professors had arrived and waited for hours, the minister’s aide later came to inform them that their principal would not meet with them.

“The professors came around 1:30pm.on Tuesday for a meeting with the minister. Unfortunately, after waiting for hours, the minister’s aide came and told them that the minister was in another meeting, so he couldn’t meet with them.

“Initially, the professors insisted that they would wait even if it would be until midnight. But later, they came to understand that the arrangement was not well-coordinated.

“We couldn’t meet with the minister again. The process was not well-coordinated,” it was gathered from one of the sources.

It would be recalled that the professors had written to the minister and even President Bola Tinubu since December 27, 2024, and also on January 7, 2025.

The petitioners specifically criticized the council’s handling of the vice chancellor appointment process, which they claim was marred by irregularities and a disregard for due process.

They urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the situation and restore the integrity of the university’s governance.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Prof. Nwana said, “We have been coming here, this is our third attempt, and we have left documents for the minister.”

He urged the minister to meet with the senior professors from the Senate before things get out of hand on the campus.

“They keep avoiding us. They have not allowed us in, so we are leaving this note. I’m hoping that they will call us,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Waziri expressed hope that the meeting would be rescheduled.

“We could not see the Minister because yesterday was the day he had scheduled to see heads of parastatals of his Ministry. So it’s going to be rescheduled, either Thursday or so.”

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) Senate has expressed support for Professor Aisha Maikudi as the institution’s Vice Chancellor, warning against defamation and misinformation.

The Senate made the commitment at its 187th regular meeting on Wednesday at the University’s main campus, Abuja. The meeting was attended by over 192 members, both physically and virtually.

During the meeting, the Senate deliberated on and approved several key resolutions, including the adoption of a revised academic calendar for the 2024/2025 session and the scheduling of the next convocation ceremony of the University.

Furthermore, the Senate elected a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in person of Professor Abubakar Sadeeque Abba of the Department of Political Science.

The Senate unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the University’s Governing Council, under the esteemed leadership of AVM Sadiq Isma’ila Kaita (rtd), in recognition of its successful and commendable conduct of the Vice Chancellor’s selection process.

The process, according to Dr. Habib Yakoob, the acting Director of Information and University Relations, was widely acknowledged as fair, transparent, and credible, culminating in an outcome that has been universally accepted.

In addition, the Senate extended its heartfelt congratulations to the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, and pledged its full support and cooperation in advancing the university’s vision and mission under her leadership.

The Senate unequivocally condemned the actions of certain individuals who, driven by personal interests, have sought to tarnish the reputation of the university through the dissemination of falsehoods, calumny, and blackmail via the media.

Accordingly, the Senate urged the university’s management to take all necessary measures, including the implementation of disciplinary actions, against any individual or group engaging in misconduct, illegality, or activities that undermine the good name and integrity of the institution.

LEADERSHIP reports that the University has been embroiled in a crisis over the appointment process for a new Vice Chancellor, which resulted in the emergence of Prof. Maikudi as the current Vice Chancellor.

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has refuted allegations of violation of extant law and rules in the appointment of its new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi.

In a statement released by the university’s Governing Council on Wednesday, signed by the Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs. Islamiyat F. Adulrahim, the institution assured that the VC appointment process fully complied with all relevant laws and established procedures.

The statement said the Governing Council of the University, led by Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), “has complied with the extant laws and laid down procedures and processes in the appointment of the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.”

According to her, “Contrary to the insinuations in some quarters, the Council in making the appointment announced on 31st December 2024, strictly complied with the relevant provisions of the two main acts guiding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of the University, namely, the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003, No. 1 of 2007.

“The Council is not unaware of complaints raised by some interested parties in the course of the transition process, which commenced as far back as March 2024 when the University initially advertised the position of Vice-Chancellor.

“However, it is important to note that all such concerns and issues were considered and efforts made to resolve the issues amicably with the active involvement of major stakeholders in the University, including the Senate and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

“That explains the wide and enthusiastic acceptance of the announcement of the new Vice-Chancellor within and beyond the University community.”

“Council appreciates that in a contest of eighty-seven applicants with only one winner expected to emerge, the losers must exhibit great sportsmanship and maturity to accept the outcome,” the statement added.

She further emphasised the need for the University to forge ahead and allow the brand-new substantive Vice-Chancellor, who served in an acting capacity in the past six months, to unfold and pursue her vision for the University in an atmosphere of inclusiveness and enduring corporate harmony.

The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, under the chairmanship of Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), has approved the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the 7th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, despite a boycott by some members of the institution’s governing council.

The appointment was announced during the 77th extraordinary meeting of the Council on Tuesday, 31st December 2024.

According to Dr. Habib Yakoob, Acting Director of Information and University Relations at the institution, the appointment takes effect on 1 January 2025 and is for a non-renewable five-year tenure.

He said, “Maikudi emerged as the best among 10 shortlisted candidates and was interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board of the University, in line with the extant regulations governing the process.”

Before being appointed the substantive Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi served in an acting capacity from 5th July 2024. During this period, she worked closely with the Governing Council to stabilise the University through a challenging crisis, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment.

Born on 31st January 1983 in Katsina State, Professor Maikudi is a distinguished scholar and professor of International Law at the University of Abuja.

Her educational journey began at Sacred Heart School, Kaduna, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1993. She proceeded to Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, earning her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 1999.

Maikudi’s academic excellence took her to the University of Reading, where she earned an LLB in 2004. She further specialised in Public International Law, obtaining an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005. After completing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School (2006–2007), she pursued and obtained a PhD in International Law from the University of Abuja in 2015.

She joined the University of Abuja as a Lecturer II on 4th September 2008 and rose to become a professor in 2021.

Maikudi broke barriers as 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 the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), instrumental in enhancing academic standards and promoting a culture of excellence at the University.

An innovator in her field, she introduced the ‘United Nations Law course at the University of Abuja in 2019, backed by extensive research and numerous publications in academic journals and book chapters. She is also highly experienced in supervising theses and dissertations, contributing to the growth of legal scholarship.

Maikudi has represented her university and country at numerous national and international conferences, workshops, and training sessions across the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, China, Ghana, and Egypt. She has presented papers at many of these events, further solidifying her global reputation as an academic leader.

The new Vice-Chancellor is an active member of several professional organisations, 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.

The statement added that her tenure promises a new era of progress and transformation for the University of Abuja.

Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP earlier reported that in a final meeting to announce her appointment, some external members of the University’s Governing Council boycotted the meeting with the Chairman of the Governing Council, Air Vice Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita, over the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.

It was gathered that Kaita had called for the Council meeting late Monday to appoint a substantive Vice-Chancellor by 3:00 pm on Tuesday.

However, a source close to the university said the external members were unaware of the chairman’s decision because he could not produce an agenda before the meeting.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, stated that the law was clear about the selection and appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and that the Chairman was not following due process.

According to the source, the law states that any interview conducted for the selection of Vice-Chancellors is null and void unless the chairman, two council members who are not members of the Senate, and two representatives of the Senate who are not members of the Council are present.

“There is no provision for just one Senate representative or four members. The issue of a quorum does not arise. All the members must be present,” the source said.

The external Council members who boycotted the meeting include Prof. Raphael Akinfeleye, representing the South West; Mrs. Chisom Dorcas Obih, representing the South East; and Ahaji Sabo Bappayo Ahmed, representing the North East.

Recall that 67 professors stormed the Ministry of Education on Monday and submitted a protest letter to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, urging him to dissolve the council and start afresh in accordance with due process as prescribed by the law, conventions, and traditions governing public universities.

The professors alleged that the Chairman rejected over 27 internal and 60 external applications—87 in total—and invited only three persons to favour his preferred candidate, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, despite her alleged lack of qualifications.

According to them, the council was improperly constituted, with internal members allegedly handpicked by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, during a strike by the institution’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter.

The professors also criticised the inclusion of a representative from the Federal Ministry of Education and a businesswoman on the council, asserting that these individuals lacked the expertise required to uphold quality assurance in higher education governance.

According to the petition, a key criterion for the Vice-Chancellor position, such as a minimum of ten years of professorial experience, was allegedly disregarded in the advertisement for the post of Vice-Chancellor published in newspapers in August 2024. The petition added that the Acting Vice-Chancellor had only two years of experience as a professor, lacked scholarly visibility, and had weak academic credentials.

The aggrieved academics also called for the dissolution of the Governing Council and the establishment of a new body to oversee the selection process. They urged the Education Minister to nullify all decisions the current council made and warned that failure to act would set a dangerous precedent for other universities.

“We have lost total faith and confidence in the Governing Council to be fair and just in producing the best and most qualified Vice Chancellor for the University.

“Thus, we urge you to take immediate corrective action to restore the integrity of the process by dissolving the Governing Council, declaring their proceedings null and void, and reconstituting a new Governing Council to superintend a fresh and free process that will lead to the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor for the University of Abuja.

“Honourable Minister, Sir, failure to address these concerns will have far-reaching consequences for the University and the higher education system in Nigeria, as other Governing Councils will gladly emulate this ugly and unfortunate path taken by the University of Abuja Governing Council,” the letter read.