Tinubu appoints governing council, principal officers for new Ogoni federal university

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the governing council and principal officers for the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

The president named Prof. Don Mon Baridam, a scholar of management with a specialisation in organisational behaviour, as pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council. Baridam previously taught at the University of Port Harcourt.

Also appointed is Prof. Chinedu Mmom, a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt and former Rivers State commissioner for education. He will serve as vice-chancellor.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the appointments reflect a broad national spread and are part of efforts to ensure the institution’s smooth takeoff.

The Governing Council comprised a diverse team, with members from different regions of the country,” the statement said.

“The appointed council members include Mr. Emmanuel Onoja (North Central), Mr. Hamid Adekunle (South West), Prof. Chima Oji (South East) and Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Lamda (North West)

“President Tinubu also approved the appointment of three principal officers: Dr. Mpigi Monday Douglas (South South) as Registrar, Zoryii Josco Nwaimanie (North Central) as Bursar, and Dr. Saghanen Ntogo G. B. (South South) as University Librarian.”

The university, located in Ogoniland, is scheduled to admit its first batch of students in September 2025. The institution was officially established when President Tinubu signed the bill into law on February 3, 2025.