President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the renewal of tenures of Prof Attahiru Jega and Prof. Peter Okebukola as Chairmen Governing Councils of the University of Jos and the National Open University of Nigeria, respectively.

The President also approved the reconstitution of tenures of 21 other Federal Universities and four Inter-University Centres, IUCs.

This was made known by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists on key developments in the education sector.

On the list of the Chairmen of Councils of Federal universities are Dr Sonny Kuku, the Chairman of Council for the University of Benin; Mallam Adamu Fika, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Former Minister of State for Education Anthony Anwukah, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum; Udoma Udo Udoma, Bayero University Kano, and Prof Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo to serve as the Chairman governing Council of University of Abuja.

Also the tenure of retired Gen. Martin Lurther Agwai as the Chairman council of University of Calabar was renewed as well as that of Senator Abubakar Sodangi, Micheal Okpara University, Senator Jack Tilley Gyado; Federal University of Technology Owerri, Prof Olu Obafemi, Federal University of Technology Minna among others.

For the four Inter-University centres, Prof Remi Sonaiya, National French village, Badagry and Prof James Adedayo Oguntuwase as the Chairman governing Council of the National Mathematical Centre Abuja.

According to the Minister, “the Councils, which are intended to reinvigorate governance through appropriate policies and guidance to the Institutions, would be inaugurated on Thursday, 15th July, 2021”.

Appointment of Chancellors

In a related development, the President also approved the appointment and reassignment of Chancellors to 42 Federal Universities. The exercise will also replace deceased Chancellors of some Federal Universities.

The Obi of Onitsha, Obi Ofala Nnaemeka Alfred, is re-assigned as the Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, University of Ibadan; Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, the Etsu Nupe, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, University of Lagos and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero Emir of Kano as the Pro-chancellor of University of Calabar.

Others are Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, University of Benin; Alayeluwa Oba Rilwanu Babatunde Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos, Usmanu Danfodiyo University; Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Gbong Gwon Jos, Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Oba Aremu Gbadebo Alake of Egbala, Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State among others

The Minister added that the Royal Fathers are expected to be the moral compass of the various universities to which they are assigned.

“They have been taken from their kingdoms and primary constituencies to other kingdoms and these appointments are expected to play a role in cementing relationships between communities in the country.”