Maikudi sacked as UniAbuja VC after matriculation ceremony

A few hours after conducting the matriculation ceremony at Yakubu Gowon University (University of Abuja), Professor Aisha Maikudi was relieved of her appointment.

President Bola Tinubu has also sacked the Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), Governing Council of the institution.

The development comes less than six weeks after the VC’s appointment.

Prof. 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.

According to the statement, their sack was ordered by President Bola Tinubu.

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

Last month, 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 to foist Maikudi, whom they said was unqualified to hold the position, on them.

The statement on Thursday announced Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the University for a six-month term.

It 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.”