By Our Reporter
Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has formally received his letter of appointment and has been inaugurated as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC), pledging to reposition Nigeria’s university system to meet global standards.
Speaking after his inauguration, Professor Ogundipe expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment, describing it as a great honour and an opportunity to once again serve the nation.
“Today, with deep gratitude and a sober sense of duty, I was formally inaugurated as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission. I want to thank the President for this honour and the opportunity to serve once again. I do not take this for granted in any way,” he said.
The former Vice-Chancellor also paid tribute to his predecessor, Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola Aina, acknowledging his contributions to the commission and noting that the new board would build on the foundation already laid.
Professor Ogundipe outlined his vision for the nation’s higher education sector, stressing that Nigerian university degrees should be globally competitive and recognised without reservation.
“My conviction is simple: a Nigerian degree should be able to stand anywhere in the world without apology,” he stated.
Drawing from his experience as a university administrator, Ogundipe highlighted achievements recorded under his previous leadership, including increased research funding, locally driven innovations that contributed to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, and entrepreneurship and skills development initiatives that equipped graduates for self-reliance.
He said such successes should become the benchmark across all universities in the country.
According to him, the commission’s priorities will include raising academic standards, expanding access to quality university education for qualified Nigerians, and safeguarding the integrity of certificates issued by Nigerian universities.
He emphasised that achieving these goals would require the collective commitment of the NUC Governing Board, the commission’s management, vice-chancellors, lecturers, students and parents.
Addressing Nigerian students directly, Professor Ogundipe said they remain the central focus of the commission’s mission.
“To the Nigerian student, let me say this plainly: you are the reason. Not the rankings, not the buildings, you. A better system for you, a better future for all of Nigeria,” he said.
He concluded with a message of optimism, declaring: “The dawn is here. Let us build.”
