Olapegba begins five-year term as University of Ibadan vice-chancellor

Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba began his five-year term as the University of Ibadan’s 14th vice-chancellor on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Campus newspaper IndyPress and Freshpage reported the start of his tenure, following the end of Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale’s term on 31 October. The change puts a former senior member of the university’s management in charge of the institution.

The start date had been announced months earlier. Radio Nigeria’s July report on the appointment said the university’s Governing Council approved Olapegba on 22 July, following a recommendation from the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board. That earlier announcement and the new reports describe different stages: selection in July, followed by the beginning of the term in November.

Olapegba previously served as deputy vice-chancellor for administration, taking that position on 8 November 2023. He is a professor of Applied Social Psychology. His earlier university responsibilities included leadership of the Faculty of the Social Sciences and the Office of Alumni Relations, alongside service on the Governing Council. These roles provide the institutional background to the appointment; they do not by themselves establish the results of his new administration.

IndyPress reports that he joined the university as an assistant lecturer in June 2000 and became a professor in October 2014. It also records that his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees were obtained at Ibadan. His research has covered social, health and environmental psychology, including behaviour and quality of life.

A formal inauguration is scheduled for 2 November at Trenchard Hall, according to THISDAY’s earlier announcement. Professor Akin Ogundiran of Northwestern University is listed to deliver the inauguration lecture. The ceremony therefore remains a scheduled event at the time of this report, separate from the effective start of the vice-chancellor’s tenure on 1 November.

For students and staff, the immediate confirmed development is the leadership transition. The sources reviewed do not announce a new tuition schedule, admission rule or academic calendar as part of this handover. Those matters should be assessed through any subsequent university notices. This report does not treat the change of officeholder as evidence that new policies have already been adopted.