President Bola Tinubu has appointed Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, to chair the National Universities Commission’s Governing Board.
Ogundipe follows Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who resigned from office less than a year after being appointed.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, made the announcement in a statement posted on Monday.
The Presidency stated, “Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.”
It also stated, “He will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.”
The release further stated, “The appointment is aimed at advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector.”
As the Presidency stated, “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.
From 2017 until 2022, Ogundipe, a botany professor, served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
He focuses in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and environmental conservation.
He has a PhD in botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the University of Lagos.
The 66-year-old educator currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State.