Former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the university, established in 2005, as Olatunji-Bello becomes the first woman to occupy this position. The appointment was made by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Visitor to the university, Enoch Adeboye, and took effect on 1 November 2026, for an initial period of three years.
Olatunji-Bello’s appointment has garnered praise from various stakeholders. Mr. Adeboye expressed confidence in her ability to contribute to the institution’s development, citing the trust reposed in her. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a professor and former VC of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), who Olatunji-Bello succeeds, described her as the right choice for the position, adding that her appointment is expected to add significant value to the university. Ogundipe was recently appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in June 2026.
Olatunji-Bello has a distinguished academic and administrative career. She served as the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU from September 2021 to September 2026, completing her five-year tenure on 19 September 2026. Before her appointment as VC, she held several administrative positions at LASU, including Head of the Department of Physiology, LASU College of Medicine; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor, and pioneer Director of the Directorate of Advancement.
Olatunji-Bello’s academic credentials are impressive. She was appointed Professor of Physiology in 2007 and conferred with the title of Distinguished Professor by LASU in January 2026. She began her academic career at the University of Lagos in 1988 as an assistant lecturer and holds a bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of Ibadan, as well as a master’s degree and a PhD in Physiology from the University of Lagos.
The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Shadrach Akindele, a professor, welcomed Olatunji-Bello’s appointment, expressing confidence that her emergence would strengthen the institution’s development, particularly in financial sustainability and infrastructure. He noted that her appointment marks a new era in financial sustainability and infrastructure development as part of the continuation of the vision and the legacies of the immediate past Pro-Chancellor.
As Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Olatunji-Bello is expected to provide strategic leadership to the University’s Governing Council and contribute to strengthening institutional governance, strategic direction, and the pursuit of academic excellence. The university noted that her appointment comes at a pivotal period in the University’s development as it continues to expand its academic offerings, strengthen research and innovation, and consolidate its standing as a leading citadel of learning in the global education institutions sector.
Olatunji-Bello has received several notable awards and recognitions. In May 2023, she received the National Productivity Order of Merit Award from former President Muhammadu Buhari. She is also a member of the National Institute (MNI), following her participation in Course 34 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, in 2012.
Key points
- Olatunji-Bello is the first woman to be appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Redeemer’s University.
- Her appointment is for an initial period of three years, effective from 1 November 2026.
- Olatunji-Bello has a distinguished academic and administrative career, having served as Vice-Chancellor of LASU and holding various other positions.
