In a move highlighting national unity, the Ooni of Ife has been chosen to serve as the Chancellor of a state university in Borno. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno made the appointment, citing the royal father’s strong commitment to education.
The appointment letter was presented to Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi at his palace in Ile-Ife on Tuesday. The governor’s representative stated the selection was made to add value to Kashim Ibrahim University in Maiduguri, which is about to graduate its first set of students under its new name.
The Ooni, who is already Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, accepted the role. He promised to bring the same energy to Borno’s university, emphasizing his passion for education and his desire to be an active, not ceremonial, leader.
Officials framed the appointment as a renewal of ancient ties. They noted the historical connection between the centuries-old Ife Kingdom and the Kanem-Borno Empire, describing their relationship as one between “cousins.”
The Ooni echoed this sentiment, stating that the two kingdoms share a unique bond as some of Africa’s oldest empires. He expressed enthusiasm for the task, directly telling the Borno delegation, “You are welcoming me back home.”
This appointment is seen as a symbolic bridge between Nigeria’s southwest and northeast regions. It aims to foster unity and leverage the monarch’s influence to advance higher education in Borno State.
