President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), as the new Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Ogundipe takes over from Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who stepped down from the position after serving for less than a year. Aina was appointed in July 2025, while members of the commission’s governing board were inaugurated in November of the same year.
A statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Ogundipe as an accomplished academic with extensive experience in higher education administration.
The 66-year-old scholar served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos between 2017 and 2022. He is a Professor of Botany whose areas of specialization include molecular plant taxonomy, ethnobotany, biosystematics, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and environmental conservation.
Ogundipe earned his doctorate degree in Botany from the Obafemi Awolowo University and later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Lagos. He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University.
The statement also highlighted his membership in several professional and scientific organisations, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology.
In addition, Ogundipe has previously served as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council.
As Chairman of the NUC governing board, he is expected to provide strategic direction for Nigeria’s university regulatory agency, with emphasis on improving funding, strengthening academic standards, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in Ogundipe’s ability to sustain the credibility of the nation’s university system and advance the administration’s education objectives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of quality, access, and institutional integrity.