President Bola Tinubu unexpectedly withdrew Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi from her position as vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja, which is now known as Yakubu Gowon University. The university’s governing council was also disbanded by the president, indicating a significant change in the institution’s leadership.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2025, the announcement was made, and it went into effect right away. Professor Maikudi made headlines as the university’s youngest vice chancellor when he was appointed on January 1, 2025. It was anticipated that, at the young age of 42, she would offer new insights to the organization. However, there were a number of people who opposed her appointment, citing alleged anomalies in the screening process.
For the next six months, Tinubu has named Professor Lar Patricia Manko as the Acting Vice-Chancellor in her place. Manko will not be able to apply for the permanent position when it is formally opened, the presidency has stated.
Although Maikudi’s removal’s precise causes are yet unknown, sources indicate that it is a part of a larger initiative to realign leadership in federal colleges around the nation. Reactions to the decision have been divided; some stakeholders have questioned the abrupt move, while others believe it is a necessary step to restore the administration of the university’s reputation.
With this move, the Tinubu administration has made yet another major intervention in Nigeria’s educational system. The government’s next step regarding leadership appointments in the country’s higher institutions will be closely watched as the search for a new vice chancellor gets underway.
