Tinubu Reshuffles Ivory Tower Leadership: Akinfeleye, Obih, Yakasai Take Strategic Roles in Federal Universities
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a new round of appointments aimed at bolstering leadership in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, describing them as “strategic steps to strengthen the management of our higher education sector and enhance global competitiveness.”
Hon. Chisom D. Obih has been appointed to the Governing Council of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, replacing a council member who recently passed away.
Similarly, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, a renowned communications scholar and former Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, has been named to the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Akinfeleye, who currently chairs the Centre of Excellence in Multimedia and Cinematography and oversees Unilag Radio 103.1 FM and Television, replaces Mr. Wahab Owokoniran, recently appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Federal University of Transport, Daura, Katsina State.
In a related announcement, Professor Ibrahim Adamu Yakasai — a retired Nigerian Army Colonel and Provost of the College of Health Sciences at Bayero University, Kano — has been appointed Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences and Technology, Tsafe, Zamfara State.
Other principal officers for the Tsafe institution include:
Mr. Hamisu Yusuf Yelwa – Registrar
Usman Nakazalle Sanusi – Bursar
Dr. Shehu Aminu Liman – Librarian
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated, “These appointments reflect the President’s commitment to merit, competence, and the pursuit of excellence in our institutions.”
Prof. Yakasai, in response to his appointment, said: “It is an honour to serve at a time when Nigeria’s health education needs strategic direction. I will work with my team to position Tsafe as a centre of excellence in medical sciences.”
Yakasai’s academic record includes an MBBS from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, postgraduate training in the UK on a European Economic Commission scholarship, and fellowships from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the International College of Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. He also holds a Master’s degree in Medical Education from the University of Winchester, UK.