The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (UI) has appointed Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as the institution’s 14th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The appointment followed a competitive selection process involving eight candidates and was announced on Wednesday by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Adebisi Akande, shortly after the council approved the recommendation of the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board.
According to Akande, the process began in line with the provisions of the University Act, ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor on November 1, 2026.
He disclosed that advertisements inviting applications for the position were published in three national newspapers in April 2026, resulting in six applications from qualified candidates.
He said the Governing Council subsequently constituted a Search Team, as required by law, to identify other suitably qualified academics who had not applied directly. The exercise produced two additional candidates, bringing the total number of applicants to eight.
Akande explained that the council interacted with all eight candidates on Tuesday, July 21, during a rigorous assessment exercise in which members independently evaluated and scored the candidates based on approved guidelines.
The exercise resulted in the shortlisting of five candidates, ranked in order of merit, for the final stage of the selection process.
He added that the Governing Council nominated two of its members to serve on the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, while the University Senate had earlier elected two representatives to participate in the process.
The Selection Board subsequently interviewed the five shortlisted candidates on Wednesday and recommended Professor Olapegba as the most suitable candidate for the position.
Describing the selection process as “thorough, transparent and highly competitive,” Akande said the Governing Council unanimously approved the recommendation of the Selection Board.
“It is, therefore, my pleasure to present to you the 14th Vice-Chancellor of this great university, the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba. We wish him success in his tenure,” Akande said.
Professor Olapegba is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan and a Professor in the Department of Psychology.
He is expected to succeed the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, whose tenure ends on November 1, 2026.
His appointment ushers in a new leadership era at Nigeria’s premier university, with expectations that his administration will sustain and further advance the institution’s longstanding reputation for academic excellence, cutting-edge research, innovation and institutional development.
