The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (UI) has appointed Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegancellor commenced in accordance with the provisions of the University Act ahead of the expiration ofba 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 said the process to appoint 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.
He explained that advertisements inviting applications for the position were published in April 2026 in three national newspapers, attracting six applications. In line with statutory requirements, the Governing Council subsequently constituted a Search Team to identify other qualified candidates who had not applied, resulting in two additional applications and bringing the total number of candidates to eight.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, the Council interacted with all eight candidates on Tuesday, July 21, with members independently assessing and scoring them using approved guidelines. The exercise produced five candidates who were shortlisted, in order of merit, for the final stage of the selection process.
He added that the Governing Council appointed two of its members to serve on the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, while the University Senate had earlier elected two representatives to participate in the exercise.
The Selection Board interviewed the five shortlisted candidates on Wednesday before recommending Professor Olapegba as the most suitable candidate for the position.
Describing the exercise as “thorough, transparent and highly competitive,” Akande said the Governing Council unanimously approved the recommendation of the Selection Board.
“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, who currently serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and is a professor in the Department of Psychology, will assume office following the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor on November 1, 2026.
