Tinubu sacks University of Abuja VC Maikudi, dissolves governing council

Tinubu sacks University of Abuja VC Maikudi, dissolves governing council 

President Bola Tinubu has relieved Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University (University of Abuja), Professor Aisha Maikudi, of her appointment.

The President also sacked the Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd)-led Governing Council of the institution.

Professor Lar Patricia Manko was named as Acting Vice Chancellor at the University for a six-month term.

The development came a few hours after Maikudi conducted the matriculation ceremony of the university and less than six weeks after her appointment.

Maikudi’s removal and the Governing Council dissolution were contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Recall that Prof. Maikudi’s appointment had been met with stiff opposition in some quarters.

A total of 43 professors had written to President Tinubu declaring their opposition to the emergence of Prof. Maikudi as the institution’s vice-chancellor.

They accused the school’s governing council of breaching the relevant university’s law by imposing Maikudi on them whom they said was unqualified to hold the position.

The presidency’s statement read in part: “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 Yakubu Gowon University. He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Senator Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education.

“To succeed Maikudi, President Tinubu appointed Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at 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.”