By Matthew Eloyi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The appointment, announced on Monday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, follows the resignation of Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who had served in the position for less than a year.
Professor Aina was appointed by President Tinubu in July 2025, while members of the NUC governing board were inaugurated in November of the same year.
A distinguished academic and renowned botanist, Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022. He is widely recognised for his expertise in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.
The 66-year-old scholar holds a doctorate degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos. He currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
Throughout his academic career, Ogundipe has earned fellowships from several prestigious professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology, London. He has also held leadership positions 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, Ogundipe is expected to provide strategic oversight for Nigeria’s university regulatory agency, with a focus on improving funding, enhancing global competitiveness and promoting academic stability across the nation’s tertiary education sector.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in the former UNILAG Vice-Chancellor’s ability to provide visionary leadership and strengthen the credibility of the Nigerian university system. The President said the appointment aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at advancing quality, access and integrity in the education sector.
The National Universities Commission is the principal regulatory body responsible for coordinating and maintaining standards in Nigeria’s university system.
