Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, making her the third woman to occupy the institution's highest academic office since its establishment in 1984. The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. Professor Badejo, a Professor of Guidance and Counselling, succeeds Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, whose five-year tenure expired on September 19, 2026. She is expected to assume office on Sunday, September 20, 2026, for a single term of five years.
The appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of LASU, which has now been led by women for the better part of the last four decades. The first female Vice-Chancellor was Professor Jadesola Akande, a Professor of Law who led the university from 1989 to 1993. She was followed by Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who assumed office in September 2021 and served a single, non-renewable five-year term. Professor Badejo's appointment therefore continues a proud tradition of female leadership at LASU, a university that has consistently broken barriers in Nigeria's higher education landscape. The governor said Mrs Badejo brings to the role extensive academic experience, deep institutional knowledge, proven administrative competence and a distinguished record of service. Her career, he added, has been defined by excellence, service and a commitment to advancing higher education.
Born on August 4, 1962, Professor Badejo has over three decades of sustained academic scholarship, teaching, research, institutional leadership, mentorship and pedagogical innovation. She obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education in 1983, a Bachelor of Education degree in 1986, a Master of Education degree in 1988, and a doctorate in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos in 1998. Her academic credentials reflect a lifelong commitment to education and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Nigerian universities. At LASU, she has held several academic and administrative positions, including membership of the university's Governing Council and chairmanship of the Senate Curriculum Committee. As chair of the committee, she contributed to curriculum development, academic planning and the introduction of new programmes in line with the requirements of the National Universities Commission.
During her tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Education, about 20 members of staff were promoted to professorial rank, while all programmes in the faculty secured full accreditation from the commission. Mrs Badejo also chaired the board of the LASU International School, during which its capital reserves rose from about N88 million to N121 million and its financial deficits were eliminated. A defining feature of Mrs Badejo's academic career is her commitment to doctoral education and mentorship. Between 2012 and 2026, she supervised 23 PhD graduates, earning recognition as a mentor of mentors. One of her doctoral candidates received the 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award, underscoring the quality and impact of her supervision. A prolific scholar, Mrs Badejo has authored four books, contributed 17 book chapters and published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, bringing her total scholarly output to over 80 major publications. Her research and academic engagements have also gained visibility beyond Nigeria.
Her contributions extend beyond conventional scholarship to innovation and social impact. Among them is the development of a patented Youth Anthem associated with Lagos State University, reflecting her interest in youth development and in applying academic expertise to wider societal needs. The professor has also distinguished herself in research ethics and governance. As chair of the Lagos State University Research Ethics Committee, she led the ethical review of research protocols and helped strengthen members' capacity through professional training and collaboration with relevant national and professional bodies. Her professional service extends beyond LASU. She has held leadership positions in counselling organisations and contributed to the development of the profession in Nigeria. She is a Fellow of the Counselling Association of Nigeria and the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria.
The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, recently bowed out of office after five years, highlighting the achievements of her administration during her final convocation address. She said LASU recorded a 96 per cent success rate in its first-year accreditation exercise, with 31 of the 37 programmes presented securing full accreditation. She also disclosed that the university's internally generated revenue increased from N3 billion to N13 billion during her tenure. Olatunji-Bello described her administration's tenure as one that transformed LASU into the most subscribed university in Nigeria and the most digitally advanced among its peers. She said she was leaving behind a university of proven excellence after inheriting a university of strong potential. During her tenure, LASU also recorded increased demand from prospective students, with more than 70,000 candidates choosing it as their first choice for the 2025/2026 academic session. The university was also recognised as the Best University in West Africa on the UI Greenmetrics rankings from 2022 to 2025.
Professor Badejo's appointment comes at a critical juncture for LASU, which has emerged as one of Nigeria's most sought-after universities. The institution has been expanding its academic programmes and strengthening its position among Nigerian universities. The new Vice-Chancellor is expected to build on the achievements of her predecessor, particularly in the areas of accreditation, research and innovation, infrastructure development, staff welfare, and the continued growth of the university's internally generated revenue. The appointment also underscores the growing recognition of women's leadership in Nigeria's higher education sector, where female Vice-Chancellors, though still relatively few in number, have demonstrated exceptional capacity and delivered remarkable results.
The announcement has been welcomed by stakeholders across the education sector, with many expressing confidence in Professor Badejo's ability to lead LASU to even greater heights. Her extensive experience in academic administration, her track record of mentoring doctoral students, and her commitment to research ethics and governance position her well for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As she prepares to assume office on September 20, 2026, the LASU community and the wider Nigerian education sector will be watching closely to see how she builds on the legacy of her predecessors and shapes the future of one of the country's most dynamic universities.
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