President Bola Tinubu has appointed former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission, NUC.
The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who stepped down from the position less than a year after his appointment.
Aina was appointed by President Tinubu in July 2025, while members of the NUC Governing Board were officially inaugurated in November 2025.
A respected botanist and academic administrator, Ogundipe served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022. He currently serves as Pro Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
The 66 year old scholar holds a PhD in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the University of Lagos. His academic specialization spans molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation.
Ogundipe is a fellow of several professional organizations, including 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 Chairman of the NUC Governing Board, Ogundipe is expected to provide strategic leadership for the regulation and advancement of Nigeria’s university system, with a strong focus on funding, academic stability, quality assurance, and global competitiveness.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that the former UNILAG Vice Chancellor will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s university system and drive reforms aimed at improving access, quality, and integrity in higher education.
