University of Ibadan vice-chancellor unveils five-year plan

The 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, has unveiled a five-year plan to position the institution as a global centre of academic excellence, research, innovation and human capital development. Olapegba disclosed this while delivering his inauguration address at the University of Ibadan Community Forum on Monday.

He stated that his administration would pursue a strategic direction anchored on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, research development, improved staff welfare, student-centred services and sustainable funding. The Vice-Chancellor identified artificial intelligence and digitalisation as key to the university's future, promising to strengthen digital infrastructure, introduce smart classrooms and laboratories, modernise learning systems and integrate technology into teaching, research, administration and financial management. He also noted that the university ranked first in Nigeria and West Africa, fourth in Africa and within the 801 to 1,000 global band in the 2026 Times Higher Education rankings.

Inauguration Lecture and Goodwill Messages

Delivering the inauguration lecture titled “The African University in a New World Order: Imperatives of Knowledge Sovereignty and Relevance,” historian and professor at Northwestern University, Akin Ogundiran, challenged African universities to break away from intellectual dependency on foreign institutions. He urged the University of Ibadan to make artificial intelligence literacy compulsory, establish an African artificial intelligence institute, create an African Knowledge Digital Commons and develop computing infrastructure to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and datasets.

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, who spoke on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, commended the university for ensuring a smooth transition from the 13th to the 14th Vice-Chancellor. Lawal pledged the state government's readiness to collaborate with the University of Ibadan and assured Olapegba of its support and partnership. The event also featured remarks from the convener, Professor J. O. Ajiboye, and the chairman of the inauguration lecture, Emeritus Professor Oluwole Akande.