The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has dissolved the governing council of the Plateau State University, Bokkos, and removed the vice chancellor, Professor Bernard Matur Malau, who was appointed by former governor Simon Lalong in February 2023.
A statement signed by Samuel Jatau, the Secretary of the Plateau State Government, announced the immediate removal of all heads of tertiary institutions in the state, including Plateau State Polytechnic in Barkin Ladi, College of Education in Gindiri, College of Health Technology in Zawan, and Pankshin.
The directive requires all removed heads to promptly hand over their duties to the next most senior officer within their respective institutions.
While Governor Mutfwang did not provide explicit reasons for the removals, speculation abounds regarding potential connections to recent strikes experienced by the institutions. Additionally, there are suggestions that the actions align with the Nigerian political leadership succession style, wherein a new leader dismisses appointments made by their predecessor, particularly if they are political opposition figures.
The abrupt decision has sent shockwaves through the Plateau State educational community, raising questions about the prospective persons who will take the leadership mantle in the various institutions.
