President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, officially inaugurated Al-Makura alongside other newly appointed members of education boards and governing councils under the Federal Ministry of Education at a ceremony held Tuesday in Abuja.
While presenting letters of appointment to the appointees, the minister urged them to provide visionary, accountable, and strategic leadership to reposition Nigeria’s educational institutions for global relevance.
“Your appointments are not only a recognition of your individual achievements and contributions to national development but also a call to serve with integrity, vision, and accountability,” Alausa stated.
The minister acknowledged the challenges facing the tertiary education sector, including funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, industrial disputes, and declining global rankings.
He stressed that while governing councils play an essential role in policy direction, financial oversight, and ensuring academic excellence, they must respect institutional autonomy while promoting transparency, especially in procurement, budgeting, appointments, and contract awards.
Alausa reaffirmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stating that the administration is investing in infrastructure, clean energy solutions, staff welfare, and improved access to quality education to revitalise the sector.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Senator Al-Makura expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the trust and pledged to support the transformation of Nigeria’s education system.
Other key appointments announced include Vice-Admiral Victor Ombu (rtd) as Chairman, Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa, Delta State; Prof. Oluremi Aina, Chairman, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State; Dr. Folashade Kareem, Chairman, University of Jos; Dr. Olusina Adeniyi, Chairman, Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi; and Babatunde Olokun, Chairman, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.
Also appointed were Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu as Executive Secretary, National Mass Education Commission (NMEC); Adebayo Onigbanjo as National Coordinator, Special Programmes Operations and Implementation Unit (SPOIU); and Hon. Chidi Nwogu as Chairman, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja.
