UI Appoints Prof. Peter Olapegba as 14th Vice-Chancellor

The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan has appointed Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as the institution’s 14th Vice-Chancellor following a competitive selection process involving eight candidates.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Adebisi Akande, shortly after the council approved the recommendation of the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board.

Akande explained that the process for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor commenced in accordance with the provisions of the University Act ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor on November 1, 2026.

According to him, advertisements inviting applications for the position were published in April 2026 in three national newspapers, attracting six applicants.

He added that the Governing Council subsequently constituted a Search Team, as required by law, to identify other qualified candidates who had not applied for the position. The exercise produced two additional applicants, bringing the total number of candidates to eight.

Akande disclosed that members of the Governing Council interacted with all eight candidates on Tuesday, July 21, during which each candidate was independently assessed and scored using approved evaluation guidelines.

The exercise resulted in the emergence of five candidates who were shortlisted, in order of merit, for the final phase of the selection process.

The Pro-Chancellor stated that the council appointed two of its members to serve on the Selection Board, while the University Senate elected two representatives to participate in the exercise.

The Joint Council-Senate Selection Board interviewed the five shortlisted candidates on Wednesday before recommending Professor Olapegba as the most qualified candidate for the position.

Akande described the selection process as thorough, transparent and highly competitive, noting that the Governing Council unanimously approved the board’s recommendation.

“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,” he said.

Professor Olapegba will officially assume office after the expiration of the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor on November 1, 2026.

Before his appointment, Olapegba served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan. He is a distinguished professor in the Department of Psychology and has held several academic and administrative leadership positions within the institution. His appointment is expected to sustain the university’s tradition of academic excellence, research innovation and institutional development.