President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of renowned academic and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The appointment was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Ogundipe takes over from Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who stepped down from the position less than a year after assuming office.
Confirming the development, the Presidency stated, “Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.”
According to the statement, the new chairman will play a key role in steering the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing university education in Nigeria.
“He will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.”
The Presidency explained that the appointment forms part of broader efforts to strengthen standards and improve outcomes across the country’s tertiary education sector.
“The appointment is aimed at advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector.”
President Tinubu was also said to have charged the former university administrator with sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system while driving reforms consistent with his administration’s objectives.
“President Tinubu expects Professor Ogundipe to provide visionary leadership at the National Universities Commission and sustain the credibility of the Nigerian university system in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
A distinguished scholar in the field of Botany, Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022, where he oversaw major academic and administrative initiatives.
His areas of expertise include molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and environmental conservation. He holds a doctorate degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lagos.
Beyond his academic accomplishments, the 66-year-old professor currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State. He is also a fellow of several prestigious professional organisations, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology.
Over the course of his career, Ogundipe has held several leadership positions within the scientific community, including serving as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.
His appointment is expected to bring extensive academic, research and administrative experience to the leadership of the National Universities Commission as the agency pursues reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s university system.
(Ripples)