BREAKING NEWS: Tinubu Approves Appointment of New University Governing Councils in Major University Education Reform 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new members to the governing councils of three prominent federal universities in the country.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the concerned federal universities affected by the major reform in the country's educational landscape are: the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka.

OTN News further reports that the appointments, which were announced on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, is coming months after the dissolution of UNIABUJA’s governing council and the removal of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aisha Maikudi, in February 2025, amidst controversies surrounding her eligibility and appointment. 

Meanwhile, the new appointments by President Bola Tinubu have been described as a pointer to his administration’s commitment to a sweeping reform of the federal university system, emphasizing accountability and institutional management.

The newly constituted councils reflect a broad regional representation, bringing in experienced individuals from across the country to guide these vital institutions.

For the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA), the new governing council members are:

1.Prof. Rosemary Iriowen Egonmwan (South-South)

2.Dr. Adedeji Adefuye (South-West)

3.Prof. Sarki Abba Abdulkadir (North-West)

4.Prof. Aminu Mohammed Dukku (North-East)

At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), two new members have been appointed to its governing council:

1.Rt. Hon. Barr. Ogbonna Eugene Odo (South-East)

2.Muhammad Inuwa Tahir, mni (North-West)

And for Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, the newly appointed members are:

1).Dr. Nkem Okeke (South-East) – Notably a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State.

2).Ofoke Chukwuma Charles Ugbala (South-East)

3). Dame Amina Patrick Yakowa (North-West)

4).Nojeeb Oriola Agunbiade (South-West)

Among other things, these strategic appointments are expected to usher in a new era of leadership and robust governance, crucial for advancing academic standards and overall development in Nigeria’s federal universities. The administration’s focus remains on repositioning higher education to meet national development goals and foster a conducive environment for learning and research in the country's academia.