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The appointment of Bishop Kukah by the Tinubu led administration as the Pro- Chancellor of Kaduna Varsity has elicited various reactions from Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council for the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kaduna State.
The announcement contained in a statement, was disclosed on March 17, 2025, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Alongside Bishop Kukah’s appointment, President Tinubu also named other principal officers for the university. He appointed other Key persons as leaders in the University, such as:
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Professor Qurix Williams Barnabas (Vice Chancellor)
Sanusi Gambo Adamu (Registrar)
Ibrahim Dalhat (Bursar)
Professor Daniel Abubakar (University Librarian).
In addition, Tinubu also appointed regional representatives for the Governing Council, they are:
Mr. Thomas Etuh (North Central)
Chief Fabian Nwaora (South East)
Professor Femi Taiwo (South West)
Zarah Bukar (North East).
According to the statement, the new appointees “were carefully selected based on their distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria.”
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President Tinubu implored them to utilize their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He emphasized the importance of visionary leadership in laying a solid foundation for the university’s growth as it prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.
These strategic moves according to analysts underscore the administration’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s higher education sector by integrating experienced and visionary leaders.
Bishop Kukah’s extensive background in advocacy, ethics, and community development positions him as a valuable asset to the university’s mission of academic excellence.
These changes in the Kaduna Varsity come as a result of the acquisition of the institution by the Federal government.
Recall that the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, was formerly known as Nok University before its acquisition by the federal government.
It is now set to become a pivotal institution in Nigeria’s educational landscape under the leadership of Bishop Kukah and the appointed principal officers, as there are high expectations placed on the new leadership to drive the university toward achieving its mission of fostering innovation, research, and practical educational success.
However, reactions from some Nigerians claimed that the appointment is rather politically motivated as the president’s affiliation with the famous Bishop Kukah is to attract the teeming Catholic population to consider his re-election come 2027.
