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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 Council 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 as Professor Emeritus Olufemi Raphael Aina, who stepped down from his post less than a year after assuming office.
Confirming the development, the Presidency stated, “Professor Ogundipe replaces Professor Emeritus Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned from his post after less than one year in office.”
According to the statement, the new chairman will play a key role in steering the regulatory body responsible for overseeing university education in Nigeria.
“He will oversee the governing bodies of the Nigerian university system, with a focus on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.”
The Presidency explained that these appointments are part of broader efforts to strengthen standards and improve outcomes in the country’s higher education sector.
“This appointment aims to improve quality, access and integrity in the education sector.”
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President Tinubu is also said to have tasked the former university administrator with maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system while pushing for reforms in line with his administration’s goals.
“President Tinubu expects Professor Ogundipe to provide visionary leadership to the National Universities Commission and maintain the credibility of the Nigerian university system in line with the New Hope Agenda.”
A distinguished scholar in 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 in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lagos.
Beyond his academic achievements, the 66-year-old professor currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer University, Ede, Osun State. He is also a member of several prestigious professional organizations, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology.
Throughout his career, Ogundipe has held several leadership positions in the scientific community, including serving as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Council for Science, Research and Innovation.
His appointment is expected to bring extensive academic, research and administrative experience to the leadership of the National Universities Commission as the body undertakes reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s university system.
