Tinubu names ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe NUC chairman

President Bola Tinubu has appointed a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission.

Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who resigned from office less than a year after his appointment.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The Presidency said, “Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned his appointment after less than one year in office.”

It added, “He will oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system, focusing on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.”

The statement also noted that, “The appointment is aimed at advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector.”

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.”

Ogundipe, a professor of Botany, served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2022.

He specialises in 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.

The 66-year-old academic currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

He is a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology.

Ogundipe has also served as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.