Tinubu’s Bold Choice: Ogundipe Takes The Helm As NUC Chairman

Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe has been appointed chairman of the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) governing board by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Olufemi Raphael Aina, an Emeritus Professor, resigned after less than a year in office, and Ogundipe takes over. The board members were sworn in in November 2025 after Professor Aina was appointed by President Tinubu in July of last year.

Ogundipe is an expert in molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation. He served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022.

He graduated from the University of Lagos with an MBA and Obafemi Awolowo University with a PhD in botany.

Ogundipe, 66, is currently the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State.

He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, London, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Nigerian Academy of Science, among other professional organizations. Additionally, he has held the positions of Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research, and Innovation Council (LASRIC) and President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria.

Ogundipe will be in charge of the Nigerian university system’s regulatory body as NUC Chairman, with an emphasis on funding, academic stability, and global competitiveness.

In line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu anticipates that Ogundipe will lead the NUC with vision and maintain the legitimacy of the Nigerian university system by promoting integrity, quality, and access in the field of education.

Congratulations to Prof. Ogundipe on his appointment as NUC Chairman. This is a well-deserved recognition of his expertise and dedication to advancing Nigeria’s higher education sector.

Wishing him success in this new role as he leads the charge toward innovation, excellence, and transformative growth in Nigeria’s universities.