Tinubu appoints former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Ogundipe as NUC chairman

President Bola Tinubu has named Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, an ex-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission.

Ogundipe takes over from Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina who quit his post less than a year into his tenure.

The development is captured in a press statement made available on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The Presidency said, “Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.”

It added, “He will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.”

The statement also noted that, “The appointment is aimed at advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector.”

According to the Presidency, “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.”

Ogundipe, a Botany Professor, was a Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022.

His expertise includes molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.

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

The 66 year old scholar is currently the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

He is a fellow of various professional organizations such as the Nigerian Academy of Science, Linnaean Society of London, and Royal Society of Biology.

Ogundipe is also the former President of Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.