The three new universities are in Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara.

President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of vice-chancellors and registrars for the three newly established federal universities, the Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufa'i, said in a statement.

The statement, signed by MacJohn Nwaobiala, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry , said the vice-chancellors were for the universities in Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara States.

The first meeting, in 2013, of the Federal Executive Council on January 6 approved the three new universities in states where none existed.

The vice-chancellors are Professor Shehu AbdulRahman, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe; Professor Lawal Bilbis, Federal University Birnin Kebbi; and Professor Ben Okeke, Federal University, Gusau.

The minister said that the president also approved the appointment of Professor Isaac Asuzu as replacement for Professor Chinedu Nebo as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

Mr. Nebo is currently the Minister of Power.

The statement named the registrars as Sule Dauda, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe; Ibrahim Mungadi, Federal University Birnin Kebbi; and Ibrahim Kauram, Federal University, Gusau.

Ms. Rufa'i said that the choice and appointment of the new vice-chancellors and registrars followed laid down rules.

She directed the vice chancellors and registrars to report for briefings at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Minister's Conference room.

All appointments take immediate effect. (NAN)