KEY POINTS

• President Bola Tinubu has appointed former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as Chairman of the National Universities Commission Governing Board.

• He replaces Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who resigned less than a year after assuming office.

• The Presidency says the appointment aims to strengthen Nigeria’s university system through improved regulation, funding, and academic standards.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigeria’s key regulatory body for university education.

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

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

According to the Presidency, Professor Ogundipe will now oversee the operations of the NUC, which regulates Nigeria’s university system.

The statement noted that his responsibilities will include strengthening funding frameworks, improving global competitiveness, and promoting academic stability across Nigerian universities.

Officials also stated that the appointment is part of efforts to enhance quality, access, and integrity within the higher education sector.

The Presidency explained that President Tinubu expects the new NUC chairman to provide strong and visionary leadership in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The goal, according to the statement, is to sustain credibility within Nigeria’s university system while addressing long-standing challenges affecting tertiary education.

The appointment is also seen as part of broader reforms aimed at improving educational standards and institutional performance across the country.

Profile of Professor Ogundipe

Professor Ogundipe is a seasoned academic and administrator who served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2022.

He is a Professor of Botany with specialisation in areas such as molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation.

He holds a PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the University of Lagos.

Currently, he serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

Ogundipe is a fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology.

He has also held leadership roles in scientific and academic organisations, including serving as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria.

In addition, he has chaired the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council, contributing to science policy and research development in the state.

His academic and administrative experience is expected to play a significant role in his new position at the NUC.

Ogundipe takes over from Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who resigned from office less than a year after assuming the role.

The National Universities Commission plays a central role in regulating universities, setting academic standards, and ensuring quality assurance across Nigeria’s higher education system.

Stakeholders in the education sector are expected to closely watch how the new leadership will address challenges such as funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, and declining global rankings of Nigerian universities.