President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo 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 Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Professor Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned from the position less than one year after his appointment. Professor Aina had been appointed in July 2025, while members of the governing board were inaugurated in November of the same year.
Professor Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022 and is widely recognised in academic and research circles for his contributions to botanical sciences.
A Professor of Botany, his areas of specialisation include molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and also obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Lagos.
Currently serving as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Professor Ogundipe is also a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London and the Royal Society of Biology, London.
He previously served as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).
As Chairman of the National Universities Commission Governing Board, Professor Ogundipe is expected to provide leadership for Nigeria’s university regulatory system, with emphasis on improving institutional funding, strengthening academic quality, enhancing global competitiveness and promoting stability within the higher education sector.
According to the presidency, the appointment aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at advancing quality, access and integrity across Nigeria’s university education system.
