Tinubu Appoints Akande, Joy Emordi, Olanipekun, Others into Governing Councils

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Chief Bisi Akande, a former governor of Osun State and the pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress, as the chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State. This appointment was part of a broader release of new chairmen and members for the governing councils of federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.

The announcement, approved by President Tinubu, was made in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, and distributed to the media in Abuja.

The statement confirmed, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the governing councils and boards of federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education for the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country.”

Previously, an initial list of members for these governing councils was withdrawn following President Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive review, prompted by criticism from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other stakeholders regarding alleged imbalances.

In addition to Akande, other notable appointments include:

• Renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun, as the chairman of Lagos University (UNILAG).
• Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, as the chairman of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
• Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, as the chairman of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU).
• Former senator Joy Emordi as the chair of the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State.

The comprehensive list includes five appointees each for 51 universities, 35 polytechnics, and 22 colleges of education.