Tinubu Appoints Governing Council, Principal Officers for Federal University in Ogoniland

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has appointed a Governing Council for the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology, located in Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoniland, Rivers State.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Thursday, July 31, 2025 in Abuja disclosed that the President also appointed Principal Officers for the institution.

Renowned academic and a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Don Baridam was named Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

Baridam, a Professor of Management with expertise in Organisational Behaviour, hails from Ogoni in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone.

Appointed as Vice Chancellor is Prof. Chinedu Mmom, also from the South-South. Mmom is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt and a former Commissioner for Education in Rivers State.

According to Onanuga, the university’s Governing Council reflects national diversity, with members drawn from across the geopolitical zones: Emmanuel Onoja (North Central), Hamid Adekunle (South West), Prof. Chima Oji (South East), and Alhaji Abdullahi Lamda (North West).

The President also appointed other principal officers to key administrative positions. Dr. Mpigi Douglas (South-South) will serve as Registrar, Zoryii Josco Nwaimanie (North Central) as Bursar, and Dr. Saghanen Ntogo (South-South) as University Librarian.

The Federal University of Environment and Technology is set to admit its first set of students in September 2025. President Tinubu signed the bill establishing the institution into law on February 3, 2025.

The appointments mark a significant step toward operationalising the first federal university in Ogoniland, an area long known for its environmental challenges and calls for development.