President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.

Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned from the position less than one year after his appointment.

According to the Presidency, the appointment is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s higher education sector and advancing quality, access, integrity, academic excellence, and global competitiveness across the nation’s universities.

As Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission, Professor Ogundipe will provide strategic oversight for the agency responsible for regulating and coordinating university education in Nigeria. He is expected to focus on key areas including university funding, academic stability, institutional development, research advancement, and international competitiveness.

The Presidency expressed confidence in his leadership abilities, noting that his wealth of experience in university administration and academic research will contribute significantly to the continued growth and credibility of the Nigerian university system in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Professor Ogundipe is a distinguished scholar and Professor of Botany with an impressive academic and administrative record. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022, where he championed initiatives that strengthened research, innovation, academic excellence, and institutional development.

His areas of specialization include molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Lagos.

Currently, Professor Ogundipe serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State. He is also a Fellow of several prestigious professional organizations, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology.

Throughout his distinguished career, he has held several notable leadership positions, including President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the appointment, describing it as a positive development for the Nigerian university system. Many believe that Professor Ogundipe’s vast experience and proven leadership record will help drive reforms aimed at improving the quality of higher education, enhancing research output, strengthening academic standards, and fostering greater international collaboration.

His appointment comes at a crucial period when Nigerian universities are working to improve their global rankings, expand research opportunities, embrace innovation, and produce graduates equipped with the skills needed in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven world.

With this new responsibility, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is expected to provide visionary leadership that will further strengthen the National Universities Commission and contribute to the transformation of university education in Nigeria.

Congratulations to Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe on his appointment as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission.