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

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

Professor 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 formally inaugurated in November 2025.

A distinguished botanist and academic administrator, Ogundipe served as Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG from 2017 to 2022. He currently serves as Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

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. His research interests span molecular plant taxonomy, biosystematics, ethnobotany, cytogenetics, forensic botany and ecological conservation.

Over the years, Ogundipe has earned recognition both locally and internationally, becoming a fellow of several prestigious 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 strategic leadership for Nigeria’s university system, focusing on key areas such as funding, academic excellence, quality assurance, institutional stability and global competitiveness.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in Ogundipe’s ability to strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s higher education sector and drive reforms aimed at improving access, quality and integrity across the nation’s universities.