Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as NUC Chairman

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​President Bola Tinubu has made a pivotal move in the administration of Nigeria’s higher education sector by appointing Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC). ValidViewNetwork reports that this high-profile appointment follows the unexpected resignation of Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who stepped down from the role after serving for less than a year. The official announcement was made public on Monday through a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed the transition at the regulatory body. According to the Presidency, “Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.”

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​The new leadership phase comes at a critical time for Nigerian universities as they navigate structural and financial reforms. ValidViewNetwork reports that the newly appointed chairman is expected to drive deep regulatory overhauls, with official communication stating that “He will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.” Observers state that the administration is counting on his extensive background in university administration to bring long-term sanity to the tertiary education landscape, an objective underscored by the statement noting that “The appointment is aimed at advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector.”

​Professor Ogundipe brings an impressive academic and administrative pedigree to the NUC, having served as the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG between 2017 and 2022. The 66-year-old academic, who currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, is widely respected for his specialized contributions to molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation, ValidViewNetwork reports. He is a fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology, and previously led the Botanical Society of Nigeria as its president. 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,” and this strategic deployment is widely seen as a major step toward positioning Nigerian universities for global excellence.