The University of Ibadan has appointed Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as its 14th Vice-Chancellor after a rigorous selection process involving eight candidates.
The appointment was announced on Wednesday by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Adebisi Akande, following the Council’s approval of the recommendation submitted by the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board.
Professor Olapegba, who currently serves as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and is a professor in the Department of Psychology, will assume office after the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent, Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, on November 1, 2026.
Speaking on the appointment, Akande described the selection process as transparent, thorough and highly competitive, saying the Governing Council unanimously endorsed Professor Olapegba as the most suitable candidate for the position.
“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.
Akande explained that the process of appointing a new vice-chancellor commenced in accordance with the provisions of the University Act ahead of the conclusion of the current vice-chancellor’s tenure.
He said advertisements inviting applications for the position were published in April 2026 in three national newspapers, attracting six applicants.
To ensure a wider search for qualified candidates, the Governing Council constituted a Search Team in line with statutory requirements. The team identified two additional eligible candidates who subsequently submitted applications, bringing the total number of contenders to eight.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, the Governing Council met with all eight candidates on Tuesday, July 21, where members independently assessed and scored each applicant using approved evaluation guidelines.
The exercise produced five top-ranked candidates who advanced to the final stage of the selection process based on merit.
Akande further disclosed that the Council nominated two of its members to serve on the Selection Board, while the University Senate had earlier 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 preferred candidate for appointment.
The Governing Council subsequently considered and unanimously approved the recommendation, paving the way for Professor Olapegba to become the University’s 14th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Founded in 1948, the University of Ibadan is Nigeria’s premier university and remains one of the country’s leading institutions of higher learning.
