Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), has been appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State. This appointment makes her the first woman to hold this position since the university’s establishment in 2005.
The decision was made by Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Visitor to the university, and the role took effect on November 1, 2026, with an initial tenure of three years.
In a statement, Adeboye expressed trust in Olatunji-Bello’s capabilities to support the institution’s growth, highlighting the expectation that she will assist in realizing the university’s vision.
Olatunji-Bello succeeds Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, who praised her appointment as a decision that would enhance the university’s value. Ogundipe recently took on the role of Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission in June 2026.
Prior to her appointment, Olatunji-Bello was the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU, serving from September 2021 until her term ended in September 2026. She has held a variety of roles within LASU, including Head of the Department of Physiology and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Olatunji-Bello became a Professor of Physiology in 2007 and was named a Distinguished Professor in January 2026.
She began her career in academia in 1988 at the University of Lagos. Olatunji-Bello holds a bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of Ibadan, along with a master’s and PhD in Physiology from the University of Lagos. She is also a member of the National Institute (MNI), having completed a program at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in 2012.
In May 2023, she was awarded the National Productivity Order of Merit by the former President of Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Shadrach Akindele, welcomed her appointment, expressing optimism that her leadership will enhance financial sustainability and infrastructure at the university. He remarked that her role would support the institution’s continuing commitment to academic excellence and development.
Olatunji-Bello’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Redeemer’s University as it seeks to expand its academic programs and strengthen its reputation within the global education landscape.
