Professor Lar Patricia Manko has officially taken on the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor at Yakubu Gowon University, previously known as the University of Abuja, following the dismissal of her predecessor, Professor Aisha Maikudi, by President Bola Tinubu. This leadership transition marks a significant moment for the institution amid recent changes in its governance structure.
President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Prof. Manko came after dissolving the entire governing council and removing Prof. Maikudi from her position as Vice-Chancellor. The appointment was part of a broader reshuffle, including the renaming of the university in honor of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.). Prof. Manko’s appointment is for a six-month term, during which she will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice-Chancellor position, ensuring a fresh leadership selection process.
Prof. Manko, a distinguished microbiologist from the University of Jos, brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience to her new role. Born in Langtang, Plateau State, she has an impressive educational background, having earned her B.Sc. in Microbiology from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, followed by advanced degrees from the University of Lagos, including a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology.
Her appointment has been met with enthusiasm from the university community, as evidenced by the vibrant celebrations that greeted her arrival. Drums, music, and enthusiastic crowds marked her welcome, symbolizing hope for a new chapter at the institution. Senator Simon Bako Lalong, representing Plateau South, expressed his appreciation for President Tinubu’s decision, emphasizing Prof. Manko’s rich academic and administrative credentials as a well-deserved basis for her appointment.
The transition comes at a time when the university has been grappling with leadership controversies and unrest, particularly concerning the previous selection process for the Vice-Chancellor. The new leadership is expected to address these issues, focusing on restoring a harmonious learning environment and tackling the institution’s challenges with fairness and excellence.
Prof. Manko’s immediate tasks include overseeing the university’s operations during this transitional period, ensuring stability, and setting the stage for a transparent and merit-based selection of the next substantive Vice-Chancellor. Her approach to leadership, known for its emphasis on research, integrity, and student welfare, is anticipated to steer the university towards a path of academic excellence and institutional integrity.
As Prof. Manko steps into her role, the university community, alumni, and stakeholders are hopeful that her tenure will bring about positive changes, reinforcing Yakubu Gowon University’s position as a leading educational institution in Nigeria. Her appointment also underscores a commitment to diversity and inclusion, highlighting the potential of female leadership in advancing higher education in the country.
The university, now under Prof. Manko’s stewardship, looks forward to a period of rejuvenation and progress, aiming to overcome past controversies and focus on its core mission of education, research, and community service.
