Tinubu Appoints Former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Ogundipe as NUC Board Chairman

Tinubu Appoints Former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Ogundipe as NUC Board Chairman

June 23, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, as chairman of the governing board of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the body responsible for regulating the country's university system.

Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned from the position less than a year after his appointment. Aina was named chairman in July 2025, while members of the governing board were inaugurated in November of the same year.

The appointment places Ogundipe at the helm of the commission's governing board at a time when Nigeria's higher education sector faces challenges related to funding, academic quality, research output and global competitiveness.

A professor of Botany, Ogundipe served as vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2022. His academic work spans molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.

He holds a doctorate in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Lagos.

Ogundipe currently serves as pro-chancellor of Redeemer's University in Osun State and is a fellow of several scientific and academic organisations, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology in London.

He has also previously served as president of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.

According to the presidency, Ogundipe is expected to provide leadership for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the quality, accessibility and credibility of Nigeria's university system.

As chairman of the NUC governing board, he will help oversee policies affecting university regulation, institutional development, academic standards and the sector's long-term competitiveness.

The appointment forms part of a series of changes within public institutions under Tinubu's administration as it pursues reforms across key sectors, including education.

Source: FSX Business News