Olapegba don take over as UI vice-chancellor, promise AI-ready university
- Professor Peter Olapegba don assume office as di 14th Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan.
- He promise to keep wetin dey work, fix wetin need fixing and produce graduates wey go think for demself.
- His agenda include digitalisation, AI literacy, research funding and staff welfare.
Professor Peter Olapegba don officially take over as di 14th Vice-Chancellor of di University of Ibadan (UI), promising to keep wetin dey work and change wetin no dey work.
He talk on Monday at him inauguration lecture wey happen for Trenchard Hall, after thanksgiving service for Chapel of Resurrection. Di events draw dignitaries including Oyo State Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, wey represent Governor Seyi Makinde.
Olapegba talk say him administration go focus on digitalisation, artificial intelligence, research, staff welfare, infrastructure and international partnerships. He describe him vision as positioning UI as global leader for academics, research and innovation.
He talk say him plan na to keep di parts of di university wey dey work, fix those wey need attention, change those wey no longer serve di institution, and build whatever di future demand.
He talk say di university must move beyond just using AI tools to becoming creator and responsible user of di technology. Him plan include smart classrooms, modern digital libraries and AI literacy for staff and students.
On funding, Olapegba talk say government support still essential but di university must also raise money through research grants, endowments, alumni contributions, industry partnerships and commercialising knowledge. He stress say generating revenue no go be allowed to undermine academic values or autonomy.
He also promise to improve staff welfare, mentorship and career progression, and to adopt student-centred approach wey no go lower academic standards. Key areas he identify include access to information, reliable digital services, campus safety and graduate employability.
Olapegba talk say UI rank first for Nigeria and West Africa, fourth for Africa and within di 801–1000 band globally for di Times Higher Education 2026 rankings. He talk say di university go work to improve its research impact and global presence without compromising integrity.
Wetin go happen next
Di Vice-Chancellor talk say di strategic direction for 2026–2031 go be developed into 10-year plan to guide di university’s next phase. He also promise stronger alumni engagement and international collaborations, including joint programmes and student exchanges.
For him lecture, Professor Akin Ogundiran of Northwestern University talk say African universities must become more African and more global, and must produce knowledge rather than only consume am. Emeritus Professor Oluwole Akande, wey chair di lecture, talk say Olapegba bring valuable institutional experience to di role.
Speakers for di events note say di transition from di 13th to di 14th Vice-Chancellor smooth and say na di first time UI hold inauguration lecture. Di Chaplain of di Chapel of Resurrection, Rev. V.I. Oladele, urge di new Vice-Chancellor to run all-inclusive administration and avoid vindictiveness.
