His trajectory through life could be compared to the proverbial cat with nine lives. He was able to endure, and survive the torments despite a near encounter with a shameful exit from the University of Lagos.When Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a Professor of Botany, assumed office as the 12th vice-chancellor of UNILAG on Nov. 11, 2017, his ultimate goal was getting the institution to rank as one of the best four universities in Africa and the best in Nigeria by 2020Apparently, his administration has leveraged on the excellence of staff by encouraging and assisting with a grant for proposal writing. Under his watch, the university of Lagos has, within three years, attracted more than the whooping sum of N4 billion in research grants, including a $131,146,00 for a Virtual Reality Technology and Mobile Data Collection to improve Newborn Health Care Delivery, among others.An academic with sterling qualities of leadership, Professor Toyin Ogundipe was born on May 31, 1960.
He attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Botany. He holds a master’s degree in Botany from the University of Ife and Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) from the same University. Thereafter, he obtained a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos and bagged a certificate of attendance from University of Reading in 1998.Professor Ogundipe began his academic career at the University of Lagos as a lecturer where he rose to the rank of professor of Botany in 2002. He was Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies from August 2007 to July 2011 and Director, Academic Planning Unit from April 2012 to April 2016. He was appointed as the vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos in November 2017 having emerged highest in the interview conducted, beating Professor Olukayode Amund, and Professor Ayodeji Olukoju to the post.
Until his appointment in November, he was the deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos.Colleagues and Associates have described Prof. Ogundipe as a result oriented man who has a highly diversified background. Some say he is a LEAD Fellow who comes highly recommended.Staff homeownership is one of the priorities of his administration as the VC of UNILAG and for this reason, the University is collaborating with Family Homes, an initiative of the Federal Government, to provide homes for staff from grade level 9 and below.Over the years, Professor Ogundipe has proven to be a man of high reputation who knows God and serves Him diligently. This is clear in his recent ‘battle of supremacy’ with the embattled Chancellor of UNILAG. He can be trusted with public office and will perform excellently well.As the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor ‘Toyin Ogundipe has endeared himself to the stakeholders of the institution, through his transparency and unprecedented development he brought to the citadel of learning.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), being a major stakeholder lauded his innovation in academics and human capital development on his second anniversary in office last year.They praised his leadership role in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship in his two-year administration.“The union enjoins him to keep up the good job, remain focused, and work within the framework of the laws establishing the university so that he will be seen as a model of transparency, accountability, and openness in the university administration.Students likewise describe him as a silent achiever in the area of research and innovation. In his tenure, he has done wonderfully well in terms of attracting research grants to the university. And this has gone a long way in repositioning the university. Through his push, different agencies, foreign embassies, and international organisations, as well as universities, have been in partnership and collaborations with the institution. Key among these partnerships, was the creation of 100 intercontinental startups with the Carleton University, Canada.His battle with the erstwhile Governing Council of UNILAG, led by the erstwhile Chancellor in August 2020, is no news.
However, President Muhammadu Buhari directed reinstatement of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos in November 2020. The President categorically stated that his earlier removal did not follow due process.Professor Ogundipe’s administration has brought peace, stability, focus and direction to the University of Lagos, no doubt.
