Tinubu appoints governing council, principal officers for new Federal University in Rivers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Governing Council and principal officers for the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology, located in Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni, Rivers State.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Prof. Don Mon Baridam has been appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council.

Baridam, a distinguished professor of Management with expertise in Organizational Behaviour, previously served as a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt.

Prof. Chinedu Mmom, also from the South-South region, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor. Mmom is a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt and a former Commissioner for Education in Rivers State.

The diverse Governing Council includes representatives from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones:

• Mr. Emmanuel Onoja (North Central)

• Mr. Hamid Adekunle (South West)

• Prof. Chima Oji (South East)

• Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Lamda (North West)

Additionally, President Tinubu appointed key administrative officers for the new university. Dr. Mpigi Monday Douglas (South-South) will serve as Registrar, Zoryii Josco Nwaimanie (North Central) as Bursar, and Dr. Saghanen Ntogo G. B. (South-South) as Librarian.

The Federal University of Environment and Technology was formally established when President Tinubu signed its enabling legislation into law on February 3, 2025. The institution is set to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.