In a significant administrative reshuffle, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Chief Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). This appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to enhancing educational governance in Nigeria.
Additionally, former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, has been appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Bayero University, Kano. Former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, will now lead the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
These appointments were announced by Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education. She also revealed that the inauguration and retreat for the new Councils are scheduled for May 30 and 31, 2024.
Other notable appointments include Senior Advocate of Nigeria Yusuf Ali as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Port Harcourt. Dr. Abiodun Layonu will head the University of Benin’s Governing Council.
The appointments extend to polytechnics and colleges of education, with HRH Arc. Ezeogo Ewa Elechi appointed to the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, and Salisu Kallamu to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Other appointees include Ekem Okeke (Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State), Sir Paul C. Chukwuma (Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State), Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina State), Otunba Tajudeen Abioye (Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State), and Prof. Erik Omogbai (Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State).
In the colleges of education sector, David Andrew Adejo, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, will chair the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos State. Renowned labor leader Comrade Isa Aremu will lead the Federal College of Education (Technical), Keana, Nasarawa State.
The list also includes Sen. Binta Masi for the Federal College of Education, Iditep, Akwa Ibom State; Prof. Isah Garba for the Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State; and Sen. Emmanuel Anosike for the Federal College of Education, Aha-Amufu, Enugu State.
These appointments reflect the federal government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the governance and administration of higher education institutions across Nigeria.
