LASU: Who takes over from Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello?

By Isa Isawade

The tenure of office of Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello as the Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Ojo will come to an end in August 2026, having assumed office since September 2021.

The law governing the university stipulates a 5-year single tenure for the leadership of the institution.

Following this, the institution has formally announced vacancy for the position of Vice-Chancellor and stated requirements for qualification for the highly demanding post.

According to the governing council, all applicants must hold a doctorate and be full professors with a rich history of research. It set a six-week timeline for the submission of physical applications to the Registrar.

Prospective applicants must also not be more than 65 years old at the time of resumption of office as Vice-Chancellor.

The council emphasised that the rigorous search for a distinguished academic administrator to steer the tenth leadership of the university for the next five years is necessary because the prospective chief executive will manage a complex multi-campus structure that encompasses diverse faculties across Ojo, Epe and Ikeja campuses.

Therefore, eligible scholars must demonstrate extensive administrative experience at top levels within university management.

The job description requires the incoming Vice-Chancellor to provide visionary leadership and maintain the accreditation status of all academic programmes.

It requires it to “exercise general supervision over the university, in addition to other functions conferred or imposed on him by this law or any other enactments subject to the approval of the council.”

The tenth VC must also ensure that the provision of the law, ordinances and regulations are observed. He will be a member of the Governing Council and the Chairman of the Senate which is the highest decision-making body for “all academic matters (i.e. student admissions, examinations and graduation, establishment of new academic programmes etc.) in the university.”

He will be the Chairman of Congregation and have responsibility for maintaining discipline in the university.

Beyond traditional academic oversight, the successful candidate must be capable of fully harnessing financial resources in running the university and must be able to attract ‘agents/endowments from financing bodies, especially international donor agencies.”

He must also be able to adequately cope with varying needs of staff and students as well as emerging contemporary issues.

His remuneration is to be determined from time to time as appropriate by the Governing Council.

Interested candidates are required to submit fifteen physical copies of their detailed curriculum vitae and academic credentials directly to the registrar.

Applications must include biodata information, academic and professional qualifications, patent experience in scholarly articles, a comprehensive visionary statement exceeding 1,000 words but not more than 5,000 words.

Applicants must provide alongside the above stated information requirements the contact details of three professional referees.

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, was born on April 23, 1964, in Lagos. She completed her primary education at Anglican Girls Primary School and secondary education at Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School. She earned her B.Sc. (Hons) in Physiology from the University of Ibadan in 1985, followed by an M.Sc. in Physiology from the University of Lagos in 1987. She obtained her PhD in Physiology in 1998 from the University of Lagos and has also received various postgraduate diplomas, including one in Theology.

Since assuming office, Prof. Olatunji-Bello has been recognized for her transformative leadership at LASU. She has focused on improving the academic and physical landscape of the university, implementing initiatives such as blended learning systems and enhancing the welfare of staff and students. Her leadership style is characterized by altruism and a deep commitment to the institution, which she views as a personal project.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello has received numerous accolades for her contributions to education and university administration. She has been described as a trailblazer in academia, inspiring many, especially women in leadership roles. Her tenure has been marked by significant changes that have positively impacted the university community and its surroundings.