Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has officially assumed office as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Ogundipe was inaugurated on Friday at the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters in Abuja, where he received his official letter of appointment.
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President Bola Tinubu had appointed him on June 22 to head the NUC governing board, replacing Emeritus Professor Olufemi Aina, who stepped down from the role less than a year after taking office.
At the time of the announcement, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Ogundipe would lead the commission in strengthening university regulation, improving funding, enhancing global competitiveness, and promoting stability within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
According to Onanuga, the appointment is intended to boost quality, expand access, and uphold integrity across the nation’s education system.
Reacting to his inauguration in a Facebook post, Ogundipe thanked President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s university system.
“Today, with deep gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility, I was formally inaugurated as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission,” he wrote.
“I sincerely appreciate the President for this privilege and the opportunity to serve once again. I do not take this appointment lightly. I also acknowledge Emeritus Professor Aina, whose contributions have provided a solid foundation for the commission.”
Ogundipe stated that one of his major goals is to ensure Nigerian university degrees earn greater international recognition and remain globally competitive.
“As I begin this assignment, I hold a firm belief that a Nigerian university degree should be respected and accepted anywhere in the world without hesitation,” he said.
Drawing from his years in academia, the former UNILAG vice-chancellor emphasized the importance of sustained investment in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, noting that these should become standard features across all Nigerian universities.
“That is the task before us—building institutions that meet global standards, expanding opportunities for every deserving Nigerian student, and preserving the credibility of every certificate awarded within our university system,” he added.
Addressing students directly, Ogundipe stressed that they remain the central focus of the reforms.
“You are the reason for this mission—not rankings or infrastructure, but your future. By creating a stronger university system for you, we are securing a better future for Nigeria. The opportunity is here, and together we must build it,” he said.
Photos from the inauguration ceremony were also shared following the event.
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