Tinubu Appoints Ex-UNILAG VC Ogundipe as NUC Board Chairman

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

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced the appointment Monday. Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned less than a year after his appointment in July 2025. Board members were inaugurated in November 2025.

A botanist and academic administrator, Ogundipe led UNILAG as vice-chancellor from 2017 to 2022. He is currently Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

The 66-year-old holds a PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from UNILAG. His research covers molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, and ecological conservation. 

He is a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology. He has also served as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.

As NUC board chairman, Ogundipe is expected to provide leadership on university regulation, funding, academic stability, quality assurance, and global competitiveness.

Tinubu said he is confident Ogundipe will strengthen the university system’s credibility and advance reforms to improve access, quality, and integrity in higher education.