By Ken Chiwendu
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.
Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, Ogundipe succeeds Emeritus Professor Olufemi Raphael Aina, who resigned 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 inaugurated in November 2025.
A botanist and academic administrator, Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022. He is currently the 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 areas of expertise include molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.
Ogundipe is a fellow of several professional bodies, 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 leadership for the regulation and development of Nigeria’s university system, with emphasis on funding, academic stability, quality assurance and global competitiveness.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the former UNILAG vice-chancellor would strengthen the credibility of the university system and advance reforms aimed at improving access, quality and integrity in higher education.
