News
Tinubu flushes out VC of UniAbuja, Maikudi
President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Abuja and sacked the university’s vice-chancellor, Aisha Maikudi.
In December, the council, led by Sadiq Kaita, an air vice marshal, conducted the recruitment of a vice-chancellor in which Ms Maikudi, a professor, emerged winner.
The selection process was rife with controversy with some members of the Joint Senate and Council Selection Board (JCSSB) accusing Mr Kaita of imposing Ms Maikudi.
Mr Tinubu announced the sack in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
UniAbuja’s new leadership
Mr Tinubu has also appointed Lanre Tejuoso, as the Pro-Chancellor of the university. Mr Tejuoso was until this appointment the pro-chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.
The president also appointed Patricia Manko, a professor, as acting vice-chancellor for a six-month term. The statement said Ms Manko will not be eligible to apply for the substantive vice-chancellor position when it becomes available.
“These changes are effective immediately,” parts of the statement read.
President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.
“The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.”
Mr Tinubu also announced the appointment of councils in other Nigerian universities.
While the president’s statement did not give reasons for the leadership change, it may not be unconnected to the controversy that rocked the university since December over the recruitment of a vice-chancellor in which Ms Maikudi was announced winner.
The Kaita-led council had on 31 December, 2024 announced Ms Maikudi, a professor of law, as the substantive vice-chancellor, and noted her appointment takes effect on 1 January.
The newly appointed vice-chancellor had served for six months in an acting capacity after the tenure of the former vice-chancellor, Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, also a professor, expired in June.
However, the controversy on her appointment deepened in the last week of December 2024 after two members of the university senate and some members of the governing council alleged that the selection process was manipulated in her favor.
During the selection process, some members of the Joint Senate and Council Selection Board (JCSSB) led by one Kasim Waziri, a professor and member of the university senate, accused the chairman of the council, Mr Kaita, of plans to impose Ms Maikudi as the vice-chancellor.
Two members of the committee staged a walkout in protest shortly after their inauguration in the last week of December. They alleged that the criteria and procedures given by the council for the selection process were deliberately tilted towards Ms Maikudi’s candidacy.
But the council denied breaching any laws or procedures, asserting that the selection process adhered strictly to the relevant provisions of the University of Abuja Act and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003.
President Tinubu has also appointed Joy Emordi, a senator, as the pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education. Ms Emordi succeeds Mr Tejuoso who is now at UniAbuja.
Mr Tinubu also removed Polycarp Chigbu, a professor, from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), before his tenure ends on February 14.
Mr Tinubu appointed Oguejiofu Ujam, a professor, as acting vice-chancellor for UNN for the next six months and he will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
“The leadership changes at UNN extend to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo. President Tinubu appointed Olubunmi Kayode Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti,” the statement said.
“Zubairu Tajo Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja.”
Mr Tinubu also appointed Sani Stores as the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, to succeed Joy Emordi.
“Additionally, Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State.
“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately,” the statement added.
President Bola Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion.
He also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
This was announced on Friday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The ₦68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It allocates ₦15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” the statement read in part.
The President also has assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
The extension, the statement revealed, would ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
It will enable ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure. With the 2026 Appropriation Act coming into force on April 1, the Federal Government will commence full implementation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” it added.
Additionally, President Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with a strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the National Assembly for its diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.
The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms.
The budget is also expected to be partly financed through external borrowing, following the approval of a foreign loan plan exceeding $21 billion to bridge the fiscal gap.
₦9.85trn Increase
The 2026 budget represents an increase of ₦9.85 trillion over the initial proposal of ₦58.47 trillion that Tinubu submitted to the National Assembly, and ₦13.33 trillion higher than the 2025 budget.
The President had while presenting the 2025 budget proposal before federal lawmakers in December 2025, pegged the capital expenditure at ₦26.08 trillion and the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.
He disclosed that the expected total revenue was ₦34.33 trillion; ₦15.52 trillion for debt servicing.
The proposal was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.
Amid the growing concerns over insecurity across the country, Tinubu said his administration would “invest in security with clear accountability for outcomes—because security spending must deliver security results”.
“We will take decisive steps to strengthen agricultural markets. Food security is national security.
“The 2026 budget prioritises input financing and mechanisation; irrigation and climate‑resilient agriculture; storage and processing; and agro‑value chains,” he told the National Assembly members.
Nigeria’s budgets in recent years have come under fire with experts critcising the poor implementation and release of funds for the execution of important national projects.
But the Tinubu administration said that the 2026 national budget was well-planned to solidify the gains of its reform agenda.
“Our ‘Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity’ is critical. It is a commitment to double down on what is working, to solidify gains, and to ensure that the shared prosperity we speak of becomes a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement.
Popular sports broadcast journalist with Classic FM 97.3, Temisan Okomi, has died.
A journalist with News Central, Olawale Adigun, confirmed his death in a statement shared on X on Friday.
He wrote on X, “The worst way to go into the weekend is hearing about Temisan Okomi’s passing. I’m so gutted and, at the same time, terrified. This man meant so much to me.”
Recall that news of his death has since stirred reactions on X, with colleagues and fans expressing shock and grief.
The late journalist had worked with Lagos Television, HiTV, and other prominent media organizations in Nigeria.
His last post on X was on April 14, 2026, when he wrote, “The Champions League is hard, man.”
Ibrahim Abdulkarim, a political associate of ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has claimed that the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has agreed to deputize the Obi in the 2027 presidential race.
He spoke during an interview on Trust TV, said the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are already aligning towards Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.
Asked if Obi and Kwankwaso had struck a deal, Abdulkarim said “yes, I can categorically tell you that they have agreed”.
We all know that. Both the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are aware of the agreement”.
Recall that Kwankwaso recently decamped from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
His move stirred suspicion that the two political gladiators may have agreed to run for the 2027 presidency on a single ticket.
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