UI’s new VC assumes office, unveils plan to transform varsity
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Prof Peter Olapegba, has assumed office, pledging purposeful leadership and a comprehensive transformation agenda aimed at repositioning the institution as a global centre of academic excellence.
Olapegba, who took over on Monday, identified digitalisation, artificial intelligence, research development, staff welfare, infrastructure renewal and international partnerships as major priorities of his administration.
The inauguration ceremony, which featured a thanksgiving service and an inaugural lecture, took place at the Chapel of Resurrection and Trenchard Hall on the university campus in Ibadan.
He succeeded Prof Kayode Adebowale, who was announced as the institution’s 13th vice-chancellor on October 14, 2021, and officially assumed office on November 1, 2021.
Delivering 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 historical legacy while adapting to changes in the global education landscape.
He explained that his administration would consolidate the achievements of previous vice-chancellors rather than abandon the foundations they had established.
The professor, who joined the university’s service on June 1, 2000, disclosed that his strategic direction for 2026–2031 would be developed into a 10-year development plan to guide the institution’s future.
“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.
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“We shall preserve what works, repair what requires attention, reform what has become inadequate, and create what the future requires,” he said.
The new vice-chancellor identified the university community as the foundation of his administration, stressing that the welfare and development of staff and students would receive priority.
He noted that “academic and non-academic staff, students, alumni and the wider university community would remain central to my administration’s policies.”
He promised to strengthen professional development, mentorship, career advancement, merit, fairness, inclusivity and accountability while exploring practical measures to improve staff welfare.
On students’ welfare, Olapegba said his administration would introduce a student-centred service delivery system without compromising the academic standards and intellectual discipline for which the institution is known.
He identified access to information, efficient administrative services, adequate learning facilities, reliable digital infrastructure, campus security and graduate employability as areas requiring attention.
Addressing the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, the vice-chancellor said the university must move beyond using existing technologies to becoming a creator, researcher, regulator and responsible user of AI innovations.
“We must build an AI-ready University,” he declared.
He explained 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 development, Olapegba said the institution would pursue a more research-driven agenda, producing knowledge capable of addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
He pledged to strengthen the Research Management Office, improve researchers’ capacity to secure grants, encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and expand partnerships with industries, universities and other institutions.
“Our ambition is not merely to publish papers; our ambition is to produce knowledge that changes lives,” he said.
On funding, the new vice-chancellor acknowledged the importance of government support but said the university must explore alternative revenue sources to meet the financial demands of modern higher education.
He identified research grants, endowments, philanthropy, alumni contributions, industry partnerships, consultancy services, commercialisation of knowledge, intellectual property, executive education and university enterprises as potential sources of sustainable funding.
Olapegba also emphasised the university’s responsibility to contribute to national development, identifying unemployment, insecurity, public health challenges, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, educational inequality and technological dependence as issues requiring academic and research interventions.
He further highlighted the institution’s forthcoming 80th anniversary in 2028, describing the milestone as an opportunity to assess its achievements and 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.
Expressing gratitude to God, the Governing Council, his predecessor, Prof Adebowale, former vice-chancellor Prof Abel Olayinka, university staff, religious leaders, family members and friends, Olapegba pledged to discharge his responsibilities 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 management for ensuring a peaceful transition between administrations.
“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 governor said.
The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including Lawal; the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli; the APC Oyo South senatorial candidate, Remi Oseni; 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.
His academic and research interests include public health psychology, mental health, cross-cultural psychology, HIV/AIDS stigma, sexual health behaviour and social support.
His research also includes international 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.
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