Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has officially taken over as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Ogundipe was inaugurated into the position on Friday at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, where he received his official letter of appointment.
President Bola Tinubu had appointed the former UNILAG vice-chancellor on June 22 to lead the NUC governing board. He succeeds Prof. Olufemi Aina, who stepped down from the role less than a year after his appointment.
Announcing the appointment at the time, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to president on information and strategy, said Ogundipe would oversee the regulatory body of the Nigerian university system with a focus on funding, global competitiveness and academic stability.
“The appointment is aimed at advancing quality, access, and integrity in the education sector,” Onanuga had said.
In a Facebook post after his inauguration, Ogundipe expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the appointment and pledged to work towards strengthening Nigeria’s university system.
“Today, with deep gratitude and a sober sense of duty, I was formally inaugurated as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission,” he wrote.
“I want to thank the President for this honour and the opportunity to serve once again. I do not take this for granted in any way. I also acknowledge Emeritus Professor Aina, whose service laid the ground we will build upon in this commission.”
Ogundipe said his vision is to ensure that Nigerian university degrees are globally competitive.
“As I step into this new role, my conviction is simple: a Nigerian degree should be able to stand anywhere in the world without apology,” he said.
The former UNILAG vice-chancellor said his experience in academia had shown him the impact of adequate investment in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, adding that such standards should become the norm across Nigerian universities.
“That is the work ahead. Genuinely global standards. Access for every young Nigerian who has earned a place and integrity in every certificate this system issues,” he said.
“But to the Nigerian student, let me say this plainly: you are the reason. Not the rankings, not the buildings, you. A better system for you, a better future for all of Nigeria. The dawn is here. Let us build.”
