President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Ogundipe takes over from Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who resigned from the position less than a year after his appointment. Aina was appointed in July 2025, while members of the NUC governing board were inaugurated in November of the same year.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment on Monday.
Professor Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2022 and is widely recognised for his contributions to botanical research and higher education administration.
A Professor of Botany, Ogundipe specialises in areas including molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.
He obtained a doctorate degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos.
The statement noted that the 66-year-old academic currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
Ogundipe is a fellow of several professional organisations, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology in the United Kingdom.
He has also held leadership positions in the academic community, including serving as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
As Chairman of the NUC Governing Board, Ogundipe is expected to provide oversight for the commission and contribute to policies aimed at strengthening university education in Nigeria.
According to the Presidency, his responsibilities will include supporting efforts to improve funding, enhance academic standards, promote institutional stability and boost the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Ogundipe’s ability to provide effective leadership and sustain the credibility of the nation’s university system in line with the administration’s education and development objectives.
