President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new members to the governing councils of three federal universities: the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.
The appointments were announced on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. They follow a series of administrative changes in recent months, including the dissolution of UNIABUJA’s former governing council and the controversial removal of its Vice-Chancellor, Aisha Maikudi, in February 2025. Maikudi’s removal had stirred debate over the legality of her appointment and alleged irregularities in the selection process.
The newly constituted governing council for UNIABUJA reflects the country’s six geopolitical zones, indicating an effort to promote regional representation and strengthen academic governance. The appointed members are:
- Prof. Rosemary Iriowen Egonmwan – South-South
- Dr. Adedeji Adefuye – South-West
- Prof. Sarki Abba Abdulkadir – North-West
- Prof. Aminu Mohammed Dukku – North-East
For the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the President approved the appointments of:
- Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Eugene Odo – South-East
- Muhammad Inuwa Tahir, mni – North-West
At Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, the new council members are:
- Dr. Nkem Okeke – South-East
- Ofoke Chukwuma Charles Ugbala – South-East
- Dame Amina Patrick Yakowa – North-West
- Nojeeb Oriola Agunbiade – South-West
The appointments are expected to reinvigorate leadership at the universities and ensure greater oversight in line with the federal government’s objectives for higher education reform.
