By Maryam Shuaibu
President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who resigned from the position less than a year after his appointment.
Professor Aina was appointed chairman of the NUC Governing Board in July 2025, while members of the board were inaugurated in November of the same year.
A renowned academic and Professor of Botany, Professor Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022.
He is widely recognised for his contributions to molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.
The new NUC board chairman holds a doctorate degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos.
Professor Ogundipe currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
He is also a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology, London.
Over the years, he has held several leadership positions in academia and research, including serving as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
As chairman of the NUC Governing Board, Professor Ogundipe is expected to provide strategic oversight for the commission and support efforts aimed at strengthening university funding, academic stability, quality assurance and global competitiveness.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in his ability to provide visionary leadership and sustain the credibility of Nigeria’s university system in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The president also tasked him with advancing quality, access and integrity across the country’s higher education sector.