*Photo: Prof. Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe*
President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Ogundipe replaces Emeritus Prof. Olufemi Raphael Aina, who stepped down from the position less than a year after his appointment. Aina had been appointed in July 2025, while the current governing board of the commission was inaugurated in November 2025.
A professor of Botany, Ogundipe previously served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022, where he oversaw academic and administrative reforms during his tenure.
His academic expertise spans 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.
Beyond his academic background, the 66-year-old scholar currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University and is a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the appointment reflects the administration’s drive to strengthen governance and regulation in the university system.
According to the statement, Ogundipe will oversee the NUC’s mandate of regulating Nigerian universities, with emphasis on funding, institutional stability and global competitiveness.
The Presidency expressed confidence that the former vice-chancellor would bring strong leadership to the commission in line with the government’s education reform agenda.
It added that his appointment aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises improved quality, access and integrity within the higher education sector.