By Enitan Abel Johngold
The University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide has thrown its weight behind the appointment of Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, FNPA, fspsp, C.Psych, FSSAN, as the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, describing his emergence as the culmination of a transparent, credible and fiercely competitive selection process that reinforces the institution’s enduring tradition of merit and excellence.
The Association also showered praises on the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, His Excellency Chief Bisi Akande, for providing exemplary leadership and ensuring that the process remained transparent, fair and in strict compliance with the University’s statutory provisions.
Speaking on behalf of the Worldwide Executive, the Acting President of UIAA Worldwide, Dr. Terrumun Hembaor Gajir, congratulated the incoming Vice-Chancellor, saying his emergence reflected not only his outstanding academic credentials and administrative competence but also the integrity of the selection process.
According to Dr. Gajir, the appointment has inspired renewed confidence among alumni across the globe, who see the exercise as a reaffirmation of the University of Ibadan’s reputation as Nigeria’s Premier University and one of Africa’s foremost centres of learning.
“The University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide heartily congratulates Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba on his emergence as the 14th Vice-Chancellor of our great University. His appointment is richly deserved and is a reward for academic distinction, leadership capacity, professional excellence and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the University of Ibadan,” he said.
The UIAA Worldwide Executive equally congratulated Chief Bisi Akande for steering what he described as an open, transparent and highly credible selection process that has earned widespread acceptance within and outside the University community.
“We thank Baba Bisi Akande, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, University of Ibadan, for demonstrating exceptional statesmanship by supervising a painstaking, transparent and merit-based exercise that produced a Vice-Chancellor who has been widely accepted as the best candidate for the job.
“We also congratulate the newly announced 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba—an illustrious son of Igboora and an accomplished Ògbóńtarìgì Ọjọgbọn—on this well-earned appointment. His emergence is a victory for merit, transparency and institutional excellence,” Dr. Gajir stated.
The UIAA Worldwide Executive noted that the appointment process faithfully followed the provisions of the University Act and other extant regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors.
It explained that with the office of the Vice-Chancellor becoming vacant on November 1, 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council commenced the appointment process in April 2026 by placing advertisements in three national newspapers and the University’s official bulletin.
At the close of applications, six candidates had indicated interest in the position. In line with the provisions of the University Act, the Governing Council subsequently constituted a Search Team to identify other eminent scholars who might not have applied on their own. The exercise produced two additional applications, increasing the number of candidates to eight.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, members of the Governing Council held separate interactions with all eight applicants and assessed them using approved Council evaluation guidelines. At the end of the exercise, the five highest-scoring candidates were shortlisted for the final stage of the selection process.
In compliance with the law, the Council also nominated two of its members to serve on the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, while the University Senate had earlier elected two representatives to serve on the Board.
The final interviews took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, after which the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board unanimously recommended Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as the best candidate for appointment as the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Describing the outcome as a defining moment in the University’s history, Dr. Gajir said the transparent process has further strengthened confidence in the University’s governance system and reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, meritocracy and institutional integrity.
“The integrity of the process is as significant as the outcome itself. It has demonstrated that the University of Ibadan remains committed to rewarding excellence and selecting leaders strictly on merit. This is the hallmark of a world-class institution,” he said.
The Acting President assured Professor Olapegba of the unwavering support of the global alumni community, pledging that the Association would work closely with the new Vice-Chancellor in advancing the University’s strategic objectives.
“The Worldwide Executive of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association looks forward to a robust and productive partnership with Professor Olapegba in promoting academic excellence, strengthening alumni engagement, expanding global collaborations and sustaining the enviable legacy of Nigeria’s Premier University.
“We have every confidence that under his leadership, the University of Ibadan will consolidate its position as Africa’s leading university while breaking new grounds in teaching, research, innovation and community service,” Dr. Gajir added.