President Bola Ahmed 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).
Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned after less than one year in office. Aina was appointed in July last year, while the current board was inaugurated in November 2025.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the appointment takes immediate effect.
Professor Ogundipe, former Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG (2017–2022), is a professor of Botany with expertise 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. He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
Ogundipe, 66, is a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean 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 (LASRIC).
In his new role, he is expected to oversee the National Universities Commission, the regulatory body for Nigeria’s university system, with a focus on funding, academic stability and global competitiveness.
The Presidency said the appointment is part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s education system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe as chairman of the governing board of the National Universities Commission (NUC),” the statement said.
“He is expected to provide visionary leadership at the NUC and sustain the credibility of the Nigerian university system in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” it added.
The Presidency further stressed that the appointment reflects its commitment to improving standards in tertiary education.
“The administration remains committed to advancing quality, access and integrity in the education sector,” the statement noted.
Ogundipe is expected to assume immediate responsibility for guiding reforms in Nigeria’s university regulatory framework, particularly in funding, governance and academic stability.