A Professor of Early Childhood Education at Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Abidogun Babajide, has called on the university community to support the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Badejo. He emphasized that collective responsibility is crucial to the success of her administration. Babajide expressed optimism that Badejo's tenure will strengthen academic excellence, research, innovation, staff development, student welfare, infrastructure, international visibility, and institutional unity.
Prof. Badejo was appointed as the 10th Vice Chancellor of LASU, marking a new chapter for the university. Babajide, Head of the Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling Psychology, noted that Badejo's appointment is backed by decades of academic service, mentorship, and institutional development. He highlighted her academic and administrative achievements, expressing confidence in her capacity to sustain the university's growth.
Babajide cited Prof. Badejo's tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Education, during which about 20 academic staff advanced to the professorial cadre, while the faculty's programmes secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC). He also mentioned her contributions as chairman of the Senate Curriculum Committee, where she was involved in curriculum development, programme validation, academic planning, and the introduction of new programmes.
As Chairman of the LASU International School Board, Prof. Badejo improved the school's financial and operational position, including increasing its capital reserves and eliminating structural financial deficits. Babajide, the erstwhile President of the Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN), also highlighted her scholarly contributions, including four books, 17 book chapters, and more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Prof. Badejo supervised 23 PhD graduates between 2012 and 2026, with one of the scholars winning the 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award. Babajide noted that her recognition as a "Mentor of Mentors" reflects her commitment to developing the next generation of academics. He also mentioned her service as chairman of the LASU Research Ethics Committee, demonstrating her commitment to responsible research and institutional integrity.
Babajide said Prof. Badejo's pledge to run an open-door administration anchored on inclusivity, accountability, collaboration, and collective responsibility offers an opportunity to consolidate the university's achievements. He emphasized that continuity should go beyond preserving existing gains to addressing institutional gaps, strengthening systems, and creating new opportunities for growth.
Babajide wished Prof. Badejo wisdom, courage, and fairness as her tenure commences, expressing confidence that her leadership will add a remarkable chapter to LASU's history. He noted that Prof. Badejo comes into office with considerable institutional knowledge, understanding LASU's academic structures, its people, its opportunities, and its challenges.
Key points
- Prof. Abidogun Babajide urges LASU community to support Prof. Ayodeji Badejo's administration.
