Tinubu Appoints Renowned Botanist Ogundipe to Lead NUC Governing Board

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Temitayo Ogundipe, as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Professor 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 of the same year.

A distinguished academic and renowned botanist, Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2017 to 2022. His areas of expertise include molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany, and ecological conservation.

The 66-year-old scholar holds a doctorate degree in Botany from Obafemi Awolowo University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos. He currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

Throughout his academic career, Ogundipe has held several leadership positions and is a fellow of notable professional bodies, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Linnaean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Biology in the United Kingdom. He has also served as President of the Botanical Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC).

As Chairman of the NUC Governing Board, Ogundipe is expected to provide strategic oversight for Nigeria’s university system, with a focus on improving funding, strengthening academic standards, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring institutional stability.

According to the Presidency, President Tinubu expects the new chairman to provide visionary leadership that will strengthen the credibility of the Nigerian university system and support the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda through improved quality, access, and integrity in higher education.