University of Ibadan: New VC Peter Olapegba Unveils 10-Year Development Plan, Prioritises AI and Research

The 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Peter Olapegba, has officially assumed office, promising purposeful leadership and unveiling an ambitious plan to reposition the institution as a global centre of academic excellence.

Olapegba, who assumed office on Monday, said his administration would prioritise digitalisation, artificial intelligence, research development, improved staff welfare, infrastructure renewal and stronger international partnerships.

The inauguration ceremony, which featured a thanksgiving service and an inaugural lecture, was held at the Chapel of Resurrection and Trenchard Hall on the university campus in Ibadan.

He succeeded Professor Kayode Adebowale, who was announced as the university’s 13th vice-chancellor on October 14, 2021, and officially assumed office on November 1 of the same year.

Delivering his inaugural address, titled From Tradition to Transformation: A Blueprint for Repositioning the University of Ibadan as an Architect of the Future, Olapegba said the institution must preserve its rich heritage while embracing the changes needed to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world.

He explained that his administration would build on the achievements of previous vice-chancellors rather than abandon the foundations they had established. Olapegba, who joined the university’s service on June 1, 2000, also disclosed that the strategic direction for 2026–2031 would be developed into a 10-year plan to guide the institution’s future development.

“The vision is to position the University of Ibadan as a global leader and centre of excellence in academics, cutting-edge research, human capital development, innovation and service delivery.

“We shall preserve what works, repair what requires attention, reform what has become inadequate, and create what the future requires,” he said.

The new vice-chancellor described the university’s greatest asset as its people, promising to place academic and non-academic staff, students, alumni and the wider university community at the centre of his administration.

He pledged to promote professional development, mentorship, career advancement, merit, fairness, inclusivity and accountability, while exploring practical measures to improve staff welfare.

On students’ welfare, Olapegba promised a student-centred service delivery system without compromising the academic standards and intellectual rigour for which the university is known. He identified access to information, responsive administrative systems, adequate learning facilities, reliable digital services, campus safety and graduate employability as key priorities.

He also emphasised the importance of artificial intelligence in reshaping higher education, saying the university must move beyond simply using AI technologies to becoming a creator, researcher, regulator and responsible user of the technology.

“We must build an AI-ready University,” he declared, explaining that the plan would involve strengthening digital infrastructure, establishing smart classrooms and laboratories, modernising digital libraries and equipping staff and students with AI literacy.

On research development, Olapegba said the institution must become more research-intensive and generate knowledge capable of addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.

He promised to strengthen the Research Management Office, improve researchers’ grant-writing capacity, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and expand partnerships with industries, universities and other institutions to attract research funding.

“Our ambition is not merely to publish papers; our ambition is to produce knowledge that changes lives,” he said.

Addressing the university’s funding challenges, the vice-chancellor acknowledged the importance of government support but stressed the need to diversify revenue sources to meet the financial demands of modern higher education.

He identified research grants, endowments, philanthropy, alumni contributions, industry partnerships, consultancy, knowledge commercialisation, intellectual property, executive education and university enterprises as potential sources of sustainable funding.

Olapegba also said the university must play a stronger role in national development by contributing to solutions to unemployment, insecurity, public health concerns, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, educational inequality and technological dependence.

He drew attention to the institution’s forthcoming 80th anniversary in 2028, describing the milestone as an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and prepare for future generations.

“Our generation is not merely inheriting the University, we are borrowing it from generations yet unborn. And we must return it to them stronger than we received it,” he said.

The professor of psychology expressed gratitude to God, the university’s Governing Council, his predecessor, Adebowale, former vice-chancellor Professor Abel Olayinka, staff members, religious leaders, family and friends. He pledged to serve the institution with dedication and fairness.

“Together, we shall strive. Together, we shall transform. Together, we shall build. Together, we shall succeed,” he assured.

In his address, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, commended the university management for what he described as a smooth leadership transition.

“With the inauguration of Olapegba as the 14th VC of the institution, the management has proved that transition from one administration to the other can be anchored peacefully,” Lawal said.

The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate; Remi Oseni, the APC Oyo South senatorial candidate; Secretary to the State Government Professor Musibau Adetunji; pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine Professor Oluwole Alalade; Professor Deji Omole; and traditional rulers from the Ibarapa zone.

Olapegba is a professor of psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan. His academic and research interests include public health psychology, mental health, cross-cultural psychology, HIV/AIDS stigma, sexual health behaviour and social support.

His research includes international collaborative studies on body image and psychological well-being across 65 countries, as well as widely cited studies on COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception and preventive behaviour among Nigerians.