Tinubu Sacks UNIABUJA, UNN Vice Chancellors, Appoints New Leadership

President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) and removed its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah. He has also approved the dismissal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe. New leaders have been appointed for both institutions.

The announcement, made on Thursday, was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Education. Prof. Na’Allah’s tenure at UNIABUJA has been terminated, while Prof. Igwe, whose tenure was set to end in June, was relieved of his duties earlier than expected.

The dissolution of the UNIABUJA Governing Council was in line with the President’s directive, which aligns with ongoing reforms in the education sector. The decision is part of the administration’s effort to reposition Nigerian universities and ensure more effective management.

Following the removals, Tinubu approved the appointment of Prof. Taofiq Azeez as the new Vice-Chancellor of UNIABUJA. Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwo has been named as the new Vice-Chancellor of UNN. The changes take immediate effect, and the newly appointed leaders are expected to steer the institutions toward academic excellence and administrative stability.

The removal of the Vice Chancellors comes amid a broader shake-up in the country’s tertiary education system. Sources indicate that the President’s decision was influenced by concerns regarding governance and the overall performance of these universities. However, no official reasons have been given for the sackings.

The leadership changes have sparked reactions from the academic community, with some expressing surprise over the sudden nature of the decisions. While some stakeholders see the move as necessary for progress, others are calling for transparency in the selection and appointment processes.

This development follows a series of policy adjustments by the Tinubu administration in the education sector. The Federal Government has been pushing for reforms aimed at improving the quality of education, strengthening university governance, and ensuring accountability among top university administrators.

With the new appointments in place, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the newly appointed Vice Chancellors will navigate the challenges ahead. Both Prof. Azeez and Prof. Ezeokonkwo are expected to engage with university communities to foster stability and academic growth.