UI’s new VC assumes office, pledges purposeful leadership

The 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof Peter Olapegba, on Monday assumed office, promising purposeful leadership and unveiling an agenda to reposition the institution as a global centre of excellence.

Olapegba said his administration would focus on transforming the university through digitalisation, artificial intelligence, research development, improved staff welfare, infrastructure renewal and stronger international partnerships.

The ceremony, which included a thanksgiving service and an inaugural lecture, was held at the Chapel of Resurrection and Trenchard Hall on the university campus in Ibadan.

PUNCH Online reports that Olapegba succeeded Prof Kayode Adebowale, who was announced as the 13th vice-chancellor on October 14, 2021, and officially assumed office on November 1, 2021.

In his inaugural address, titled From Tradition to Transformation: A Blueprint for Repositioning the University of Ibadan as an Architect of the Future, Olapegba said the institution must preserve its rich heritage while embracing changes required to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world.

He said his administration would build on the achievements of previous vice-chancellors rather than discard the foundations they had laid.

Olapegba, who joined the university’s service on June 1, 2000, said the strategic direction for 2026–2031 would be developed into a 10-year strategic plan to provide a clear roadmap for the institution’s next phase of development.

“The vision is to position the University of Ibadan as a global leader and centre of excellence in academics, cutting-edge research, human capital development, innovation and service delivery.

“We shall preserve what works, repair what requires attention, reform what has become inadequate, and create what the future requires,” he said.

The don described the university’s greatest asset as its people, stressing that “academic and non-academic staff, students, alumni and the wider university community would remain central to my administration’s policies.”

He pledged to promote continuous professional development, mentorship, career advancement, merit, fairness, inclusivity and accountability, while exploring practical ways of improving staff welfare.

On students’ welfare, the vice-chancellor said his administration would adopt a student-centred service delivery model without compromising the intellectual standards and academic rigour for which the institution is known.

He identified access to information, responsive administrative systems, adequate learning facilities, reliable digital services, campus safety and graduate employability as critical areas requiring attention.

Olapegba also described artificial intelligence as a major force reshaping higher education, saying the university must move beyond consuming AI technologies to becoming a creator, researcher, regulator and responsible user of them.

“We must build an AI-ready University,” he declared, adding that “this would involve strengthening digital infrastructure, establishing smart classrooms and laboratories, modernising digital libraries and equipping staff and students with AI literacy.”

On research, Olapegba said the institution must become more research-intensive and produce knowledge capable of addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.

He promised to strengthen the Research Management Office, improve researchers’ grant-writing capacity, encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and deepen partnerships with industries, universities and other institutions to attract research funding.

“Our ambition is not merely to publish papers; our ambition is to produce knowledge that changes lives,” he said.

On funding, Olapegba acknowledged that government support remained essential but argued that the university must diversify its revenue sources to meet the financial demands of modern higher education.

He listed research grants, endowments, philanthropy, alumni contributions, industry partnerships, consultancy, knowledge commercialisation, intellectual property, executive education and university enterprises as potential sources of sustainable funding.

On the university’s responsibility to national development, he said the institution must contribute meaningfully to addressing challenges such as unemployment, insecurity, public health concerns, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, educational inequality and technological dependence.

The vice-chancellor also drew attention to the university’s forthcoming 80th anniversary in 2028, describing the milestone as an opportunity to reflect not only on its achievements but also on what it must prepare for future generations.

“Our generation is not merely inheriting the University, we are borrowing it from generations yet unborn. And we must return it to them stronger than we received it,” he said.

Olapegba, who expressed gratitude to God, the Governing Council, his predecessor, Prof Adebowale, former vice-chancellor, Prof Abel Olayinka, members of staff, religious leaders, family and friends, pledged to serve the institution with dedication and fairness.

“Together, we shall strive. Together, we shall transform. Together, we shall build. Together, we shall succeed,” he assured.

In his address, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, commended the university’s management for what he described as a smooth transition.

”With the inauguration of Olapegba as the 14th VC of the institution, the management has proved that transition from one administration to the other can be anchored peacefully.”

The events attracted dignitaries from various walks of life, including Lawal; the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli; the APC Oyo South senatorial candidate, Remi Oseni; the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Adetunji; the pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof Oluwole Alalade; Prof Deji Omole; and traditional rulers from the Ibarapa zone.

Olapegba is a Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan

Olapegba’s academic and research interests span public health psychology, mental health, cross-cultural psychology, HIV/AIDS stigma, sexual health behaviour and social support. His research includes internationally collaborative studies on body image and psychological well-being across 65 countries, as well as widely cited studies on COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception and preventive behaviour among Nigerians.