Professor Peter Olapegba has assumed office as the University of Ibadan’s 14th vice chancellor, promising to preserve the institution’s strengths while improving its research, teaching and global engagement.
Speaking at an inauguration lecture in the university’s Trenchard Hall, Olapegba said his administration would encourage international partnerships, student exchanges and visiting scholarship programmes. He also identified digital systems and artificial intelligence literacy as areas for institutional development.
The vice chancellor acknowledged that academic excellence required substantial resources and said the university would explore knowledge commercialization and partnerships with industry while continuing to seek public funding.
Delivering the inaugural lecture, Northwestern University scholar Akin Ogundiran urged African universities to become stronger producers of knowledge, technology and solutions rather than relying principally on ideas developed elsewhere. He advocated collaboration that preserves institutional independence.
Emeritus Professor Oluwole Akande similarly stressed the need for universities to demonstrate their value through research, innovation and contributions to society. The new administration’s commitments will be tested by measurable outcomes in funding, student learning, research and institutional governance.
