Sanwo-Olu Appoints Professor Ayodeji Badejo as New LASU Vice-Chancellor as University Begins New Leadership Era
Sanwo-Olu Appoints Professor Ayodeji Badejo as New LASU Vice-Chancellor as University Begins New Leadership Era
By Iroyin Yoruba Television News Desk
Lagos State University is set to enter a new phase of leadership after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the appointment of Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo as the university's new Vice-Chancellor.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, comes as the tenure of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, approaches its scheduled end after five years in office.
Professor Badejo is expected to assume office on Sunday, September 20, 2026, for a single five-year term, according to information released by the university. The appointment was made under the provisions of the Lagos State University Law governing the appointment of the institution's Vice-Chancellor.
The transition represents an important moment for one of Lagos State's most prominent higher institutions.
LASU has experienced significant growth in student numbers, academic programmes, research activities, digital services and internally generated revenue in recent years.
The incoming Vice-Chancellor will therefore inherit a university that has expanded considerably but is also facing the familiar pressures confronting large public universities in Nigeria.
These include the need to maintain academic standards, improve infrastructure, expand research, support students, strengthen staff welfare, increase international collaboration and ensure that the university remains financially sustainable.
Professor Badejo's appointment also carries particular significance because she is not an outsider being brought into the institution for the first time.
She has spent decades within the academic environment and has previously served in several academic and administrative capacities at LASU.
Her experience therefore gives her an understanding of the university's internal structure, academic culture and institutional challenges.
The transition will also be closely watched by students, lecturers, non-teaching staff, alumni and other stakeholders who will want to know whether the new administration will maintain the gains of the outgoing administration while introducing its own priorities.
Professor Badejo Becomes LASU's 10th Substantive Vice-Chancellor
The university described Professor Badejo as its 10th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Her appointment follows the expiration of Professor Olatunji-Bello's tenure.
The university's announcement stated that the appointment was made in accordance with the provisions of the LASU Law 2004, as amended, particularly the provisions dealing with the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor.
The new Vice-Chancellor will therefore take charge at a time when the university is preparing for a leadership transition rather than an emergency change.
Professor Olatunji-Bello's tenure officially ends on Saturday, September 19, while Professor Badejo is scheduled to begin her five-year term the following day.
The timing creates a relatively clear transition between the outgoing and incoming administrations.
That can be important in university governance because changes in leadership can sometimes create uncertainty among students and staff.
A clearly defined transition allows administrative structures to prepare for the handover and gives the incoming Vice-Chancellor an opportunity to understand ongoing projects and commitments.
For LASU, the next few weeks will therefore be important as the institution moves from one administration to another.
Who Is Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo?
Professor Badejo was born on August 4, 1962.
Her academic career has been closely connected to education, guidance and counselling.
She holds a Master of Education and a PhD in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos.
She has also spent many years working at Lagos State University and rose through the academic ranks to become a professor.
Her academic background is significant because counselling and student development are areas directly connected to the experience of university students.
Modern universities increasingly deal with challenges involving academic pressure, mental wellbeing, career choices, social adjustment, financial difficulties and uncertainty about employment after graduation.
A Vice-Chancellor with a background in counselling and student development may therefore bring a particular perspective to university administration.
However, leading a university requires much more than expertise in one academic discipline.
The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for coordinating academic programmes, administration, research, staff development, infrastructure, finances and relationships with government and other stakeholders.
Professor Badejo's previous administrative experience will therefore become important as she assumes the top position.
More Than Three Decades in Academia
Available information on Professor Badejo's career indicates that she has spent more than three decades in academia.
Her career at LASU began in the early 1990s, after which she progressed through teaching, research and administrative responsibilities.
Over the years, she has occupied several positions within the university.
Her experience has included participation in academic governance and curriculum development.
She has also been involved in committees responsible for academic planning and programme development.
Such experience can provide an incoming Vice-Chancellor with an understanding of how university decisions move through departments, faculties, Senate and other institutional structures.
It can also help when dealing with accreditation exercises and academic standards.
For a large university, these institutional relationships matter.
The Vice-Chancellor cannot personally manage every department or programme.
Instead, the office depends on collaboration with deans, heads of departments, professors, lecturers, registrars, bursary officials, librarians and other senior administrators.
Professor Badejo's long experience within the university could therefore assist her in building those relationships.
Experience in Curriculum Development
One of the areas associated with Professor Badejo's academic career is curriculum development.
Curriculum development is increasingly important as universities try to ensure that their programmes remain relevant to changes in the economy and technology.
Employers expect graduates to possess more than traditional academic knowledge.
They increasingly require digital skills, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, entrepreneurship and the capacity to adapt to changing workplaces.
Universities therefore face pressure to review academic programmes regularly.
Professor Badejo's previous involvement in curriculum-related responsibilities could become useful as LASU continues to update its programmes.
The challenge will be finding a balance between traditional academic disciplines and emerging areas of study.
Nigeria's economy is changing rapidly.
Artificial intelligence, digital technology, renewable energy, cybersecurity, data science, biotechnology and other fields are creating new opportunities.
At the same time, traditional professions such as law, medicine, education, engineering, accounting and social sciences remain important.
A modern university must therefore maintain its core disciplines while creating room for new areas of knowledge.
Research Will Be Another Major Test
Research is another area where the new administration will face expectations.
Universities are increasingly judged not only by the number of students they graduate but also by the quality and impact of their research.
Research can contribute to national development by producing knowledge that helps solve practical problems.
For Lagos State, university research can be particularly important because the state faces complex challenges involving transportation, housing, waste management, flooding, public health, education, technology and urban development.
LASU has the potential to contribute research to many of these areas.
The university's researchers can work with government agencies, businesses and communities to develop solutions.
The new administration will therefore have an opportunity to strengthen the connection between academic research and real-world problems.
Professor Badejo's own academic background and research experience could support this objective.
Student Welfare Will Be Closely Watched
For ordinary LASU students, the most important question will not necessarily be about administrative structures.
They will want to know how the new administration affects their daily university experience.
Student welfare includes accommodation, transportation, registration, examinations, academic advising, health services, security and access to learning resources.
Large universities can struggle to provide efficient services when student numbers grow faster than infrastructure.
Long queues, delayed administrative processes and difficulty accessing facilities can frustrate students.
Digital systems can reduce some of these problems.
LASU has invested heavily in digitalisation in recent years.
Maintaining and improving those systems will therefore be important.
Students increasingly expect universities to provide online registration, digital payment systems, electronic academic records and accessible communication channels.
The incoming administration will need to ensure that technology improves services rather than simply creating additional platforms.
Digital Transformation and the Future of LASU
The outgoing administration highlighted digital transformation as one of its achievements.
Professor Olatunji-Bello described LASU as one of Nigeria's most digitally advanced universities during her final convocation address.
The outgoing administration also reported substantial growth in internally generated revenue during the five-year period.
Those achievements create a foundation for the new administration.
The challenge for Professor Badejo will be maintaining the progress while identifying areas that require further improvement.
Digital transformation is not simply about putting forms online.
It involves changing how institutions operate.
Students should be able to access information quickly.
Academic records should be secure.
Staff should be able to process administrative requests efficiently.
Management should have access to reliable data for decision-making.
Cybersecurity should also be taken seriously.
Universities hold large amounts of personal information relating to students and staff.
Protecting that information is increasingly important.
Financial Sustainability
University finances will also be a major issue.
Public universities depend on government funding but increasingly need additional revenue sources to support infrastructure and academic programmes.
LASU's reported increase in internally generated revenue during the outgoing administration demonstrates that the institution has significant financial potential.
However, increasing revenue is only one part of financial management.
The university must also ensure that revenue is used efficiently.
Students and staff will want transparency around major expenditures.
Infrastructure projects must provide value.
Academic resources must be properly funded.
Staff salaries and welfare must remain a priority.
Research funding must also be protected.
The incoming administration will need to balance these competing demands.
Staff Welfare and Industrial Relations
Relations between university management and staff unions can significantly affect the stability of a university.
Nigeria's university system has experienced repeated strikes and industrial disputes over salaries, funding, working conditions and other issues.
LASU has not been immune to such challenges.
The new Vice-Chancellor will therefore need strong communication with academic and non-academic staff.
A university can only function effectively when lecturers are motivated and administrative workers have the resources they need.
Staff development is also important.
Academic staff need opportunities for research, conferences, publications and professional development.
Non-academic staff also need training as administrative systems become more digital.
The incoming administration will have to maintain a balance between institutional efficiency and staff welfare.
Accreditation and Academic Standards
Another responsibility awaiting Professor Badejo will be the continued maintenance of academic standards.
During the outgoing administration, LASU reported strong performance in programme accreditation.
Professor Olatunji-Bello said the university achieved a 96 per cent success rate in its first-year accreditation exercise, with 31 of the 37 programmes presented receiving full accreditation.
Accreditation is important because it provides external assessment of academic programmes.
It examines issues such as curriculum, staffing, facilities, library resources and other requirements.
Maintaining accreditation requires continuous investment.
A university cannot simply achieve accreditation once and assume that standards will remain unchanged.
Academic programmes need regular review.
Laboratories and other facilities require maintenance.
Qualified lecturers must be available.
Libraries and digital resources must remain relevant.
The new administration will therefore need to protect the academic standards achieved by the previous administration.
Infrastructure Pressure
Infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges for large Nigerian universities.
As student populations grow, universities require additional classrooms, laboratories, lecture theatres, hostels, libraries and recreational facilities.
LASU operates across several locations, including its main Ojo campus and other specialised campuses and facilities.
The university therefore has a complex infrastructure footprint.
Maintaining existing buildings can be as important as constructing new ones.
Old buildings require repairs.
Roads require maintenance.
Water supply systems need attention.
Electricity infrastructure must be reliable.
Waste management is also important because universities are effectively small communities.
The incoming administration will therefore need a clear infrastructure strategy.
Security on Campus
Campus security is another issue that will remain important.
Students, lecturers and other staff need to feel safe while attending the university.
The university has a responsibility to maintain effective security arrangements within its facilities.
At the same time, students need an environment where academic activities can continue without unnecessary disruption.
Security challenges around large urban campuses can be complex because universities are located within wider communities.
The administration will therefore need cooperation with government security agencies and surrounding communities.
Technology can also support campus security through controlled access, surveillance systems, emergency communication and other tools.
The Student Population and Demand for LASU
LASU has become one of the most sought-after public universities in Nigeria.
Its location within Lagos State gives it a major advantage.
Lagos is Nigeria's largest commercial centre and home to millions of residents.
Demand for university education in the state is therefore enormous.
Students from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria seek admission to LASU every year.
The growing demand creates both opportunities and challenges.
More students mean more potential revenue and a larger academic community.
But it also creates pressure on facilities.
The administration will need to manage growth carefully.
Expansion should not come at the expense of academic quality.
Relationship With the Lagos State Government
The new Vice-Chancellor will also have to maintain a productive relationship with the Lagos State Government.
The governor serves as the Visitor to the university.
The state government has a significant interest in LASU because the university is a major public institution within Lagos.
Government support can help the university implement infrastructure and education projects.
At the same time, university autonomy remains an important principle.
Academic decisions should be guided by professional and institutional processes.
The new administration will therefore need to maintain communication with government while protecting the academic integrity of the institution.
Alumni Expectations
LASU alumni are another important stakeholder group.
Graduates of the university now work in government, business, entertainment, technology, education, medicine, law and many other sectors.
Alumni can contribute to the university through mentorship, donations, professional partnerships and international connections.
The incoming administration could therefore strengthen alumni engagement.
Former students can help current students understand the realities of the workplace.
They can also create internship and employment opportunities.
An active alumni network can become a major asset to a university.
Building Industry Partnerships
Lagos provides LASU with unusual opportunities for partnerships with businesses.
The state contains technology companies, banks, manufacturers, media organisations, hospitals, law firms and other professional institutions.
The university can work with these organisations on research, internships, professional training and innovation.
Such partnerships can help students gain practical experience.
They can also help businesses access research expertise.
Professor Badejo's administration could therefore place stronger emphasis on university-industry collaboration.
The objective would be to ensure that academic knowledge contributes to the wider economy.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology
Technology will likely be one of the major issues confronting the new administration.
LASU recently held a research and innovation fair where artificial intelligence featured prominently.
The growing use of AI is changing education, research and employment.
Universities must therefore determine how students and lecturers should use AI responsibly.
AI can support research, learning and administrative processes.
But it also creates concerns about academic integrity, plagiarism, misinformation and the misuse of technology.
The new administration will need policies that encourage innovation while protecting academic standards.
Students should be trained to use AI as a tool for learning rather than as a substitute for genuine understanding.
Researchers should also understand ethical requirements when using AI in academic work.
Graduate Employability
One of the biggest questions facing Nigerian universities is what happens to students after graduation.
A degree is important, but graduates also need skills that can help them find employment or create businesses.
LASU's location in Lagos provides opportunities for partnerships with employers.
The university could strengthen entrepreneurship programmes, career services, internships and professional certification opportunities.
Students in fields such as computer science, engineering, business, communications and creative industries can benefit from direct connections with companies.
But employability is not limited to those disciplines.
Students across the humanities, social sciences and education also need opportunities to develop practical skills.
The new administration will therefore face pressure to connect academic programmes more closely with the labour market.
Supporting Female Leadership in Higher Education
Professor Badejo's appointment also continues the presence of female leadership at the highest level of the university.
She will succeed Professor Olatunji-Bello, who has served as Vice-Chancellor for five years.
The development is significant in a higher-education environment where women continue to seek greater representation in senior leadership positions.
Professor Badejo's career demonstrates the possibility of progressing from academic teaching and research into institutional leadership.
Her appointment may also encourage younger female academics who aspire to senior university positions.
At the same time, her administration will ultimately be judged on performance rather than gender.
Students and staff will expect measurable results.
The Outgoing Administration's Legacy
Professor Olatunji-Bello leaves LASU after a five-year tenure during which the university reported substantial institutional growth.
Among the achievements highlighted at the end of her administration were accreditation successes, increased internally generated revenue and expanded digital transformation.
The university also increased its visibility within Nigeria's higher-education sector.
Her departure therefore creates both continuity and expectation.
Professor Badejo will inherit programmes that are already underway.
She will have to decide which should continue, which should be modified and which new initiatives should be introduced.
A smooth transition between the two administrations could help preserve institutional memory.
Why Leadership Change Matters
A university's Vice-Chancellor has significant influence over its direction.
The office affects academic priorities, administrative culture, staff relations and the relationship between management and students.
Leadership style can also influence how quickly institutions respond to problems.
An administration that communicates openly may build stronger trust.
An administration that relies heavily on centralised decisions may face resistance.
Professor Badejo's previous experience within LASU means many staff members already know her.
That familiarity could help with communication.
However, being an internal candidate can also create expectations from different groups.
She will need to demonstrate that she can lead the entire university rather than particular departments or constituencies.
A New Five-Year Opportunity
The five-year term gives the incoming Vice-Chancellor sufficient time to implement a substantial programme.
Five years is long enough to introduce reforms, develop academic programmes, improve infrastructure and build research partnerships.
But it is also short enough that priorities must be clearly defined.
The administration will need measurable targets.
These could include improvements in accreditation, research output, student services, infrastructure, digital systems and graduate employability.
Clear targets can help students and staff assess progress.
What Students Will Want From the New VC
Students are likely to have several immediate expectations.
They will want efficient registration and examination systems.
They will want reliable communication from management.
They will want safe and functional learning environments.
They will want affordable access to academic resources.
They will want improved accommodation and transportation where possible.
They will also want the university to respond quickly when student welfare issues arise.
The new Vice-Chancellor will therefore need to maintain regular communication with student representatives.
Student participation does not mean students should control academic administration.
But listening to students can help management identify problems that may not be visible from offices.
What Lecturers Will Want
Academic staff will have their own priorities.
They will want better research funding.
They will want improved working conditions.
They will want opportunities for promotion and professional development.
They will want transparent academic processes.
They will also expect management to defend the university's academic standards.
The administration will need to maintain constructive relationships with academic unions and other staff associations.
What Lagos Government Will Expect
The Lagos State Government will also expect LASU to continue contributing to the state's development.
The university can provide expertise in areas such as public health, education, urban planning, environmental management, technology and economic development.
Research conducted at LASU can help policymakers understand problems affecting Lagos.
Students can also contribute through internships and community-development programmes.
The university therefore has a role beyond its campuses.
It is part of the wider Lagos development ecosystem.
The Bigger Role of LASU in Lagos
Lagos needs a strong public university.
The state's population and economy create demand for highly trained professionals.
Doctors, teachers, engineers, lawyers, researchers, entrepreneurs and other professionals are needed to support the state's development.
LASU contributes to that pipeline.
The quality of its graduates therefore affects more than the university itself.
It affects hospitals, schools, companies, government agencies and communities.
The new Vice-Chancellor will consequently be leading an institution with a significant public responsibility.
Challenges Beyond the Campus
Professor Badejo will also be leading LASU at a time when Nigerian households are facing economic pressure.
The cost of transportation, food, accommodation and other necessities affects students and their families.
University fees and other educational expenses therefore have to be considered within the wider economic environment.
Students from low-income households may struggle to remain in school even when tuition itself is relatively affordable.
Scholarships, bursaries, work-study opportunities and other support mechanisms can help.
The new administration will need to explore ways of reducing unnecessary financial burdens on students.
Maintaining Academic Integrity
Academic integrity will remain another major issue.
The rapid spread of artificial intelligence and digital tools has made it easier for students to access information.
It has also made plagiarism and academic dishonesty more difficult to detect.
Universities therefore need updated policies and technologies for maintaining academic integrity.
Students should be taught how to reference sources properly.
They should understand when technology can be used and when independent work is required.
Lecturers also need training in modern assessment methods.
The goal should not simply be to punish misconduct.
It should be to build a culture of honest scholarship.
The Research Opportunity
Professor Badejo's administration can also use Lagos as a living laboratory for research.
The city presents major questions in urban development.
How can transportation congestion be reduced?
How can flooding be managed?
How can waste be handled more efficiently?
How can affordable housing be increased?
How can public health systems serve a growing population?
How can technology improve public services?
These are issues that LASU researchers can investigate.
Partnerships with government agencies could turn research findings into practical policies.
International Collaboration
Another opportunity is internationalisation.
Nigerian universities increasingly compete for international students, research partnerships and academic collaborations.
LASU could expand partnerships with universities in Africa, Europe, North America and other regions.
Such partnerships can support student exchanges, joint research, academic conferences and staff development.
International visibility can also improve the university's reputation.
However, internationalisation should complement rather than replace local priorities.
The university's research should continue addressing problems relevant to Nigeria and Africa.
The First Hundred Days
Although Professor Badejo will have a five-year term, the early months will be particularly important.
The first phase of a new administration often determines its leadership style.
Students and staff will watch how quickly she responds to outstanding issues.
They will also look for appointments to key administrative positions and the priorities she identifies.
A listening period could allow the new Vice-Chancellor to engage different stakeholder groups.
Meetings with students, academic staff, non-academic staff, alumni, government representatives and industry partners could provide useful information.
The administration could then develop a clear five-year strategic plan.
Continuity and Change
The best approach may not be to abandon everything associated with the outgoing administration.
Successful programmes should continue.
Problems should be reviewed.
New priorities can then be added.
Universities benefit from institutional continuity.
Frequent changes in direction can waste resources.
At the same time, a new administration needs room to innovate.
Professor Badejo will therefore have to find the right balance between continuity and change.
What Success Could Look Like
At the end of Professor Badejo's five-year tenure, stakeholders will likely judge the administration using practical indicators.
They may ask:
Did academic standards improve?
Did accreditation remain strong?
Did research output increase?
Did students receive better services?
Did infrastructure improve?
Did staff welfare improve?
Did digital systems become more effective?
Did graduate employability increase?
Did the university attract more research funding?
Did LASU strengthen its international reputation?
Did the university contribute more directly to Lagos State's development?
These questions provide a framework for evaluating the new administration.
A Historic Leadership Transition
The appointment of Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo marks more than the replacement of one university administrator.
It represents the beginning of another chapter in the history of Lagos State University.
Professor Olatunji-Bello leaves after five years in which the university reported significant changes in accreditation, revenue generation and digital development.
Professor Badejo now inherits those achievements along with the responsibilities that come with them.
Her task will be to determine how LASU moves forward in an environment where higher education is changing rapidly.
Technology is changing how students learn.
Artificial intelligence is changing research.
The labour market is changing.
Funding pressures are increasing.
Students are demanding better services.
Employers want graduates with practical skills.
Government expects universities to contribute directly to economic development.
All of these pressures will shape the new administration.
Final Perspective
The appointment of Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo as the next Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University begins a new leadership chapter for one of Nigeria's most prominent public universities.
She will assume office on September 20, 2026, following the completion of Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello's five-year tenure. The university has confirmed that Professor Badejo will serve a single five-year term.
The incoming Vice-Chancellor brings extensive academic and administrative experience, including a long association with LASU and a career centred on guidance and counselling, academic development and university administration.
Her appointment comes with considerable expectations.
LASU has expanded rapidly and has reported improvements in accreditation, digital transformation and internally generated revenue under the outgoing administration.
The new administration will therefore not be starting from zero.
It will inherit an institution with established programmes, infrastructure projects, academic achievements and administrative systems.
But it will also inherit challenges.
The university must continue improving infrastructure while managing growing demand.
It must maintain academic standards while introducing new courses and technologies.
It must support staff while controlling costs.
It must provide students with better services while dealing with economic pressure.
It must increase research output and ensure that research contributes to practical problems affecting Lagos and Nigeria.
It must also prepare graduates for a labour market being transformed by technology and artificial intelligence.
Professor Badejo's background in guidance and counselling could prove valuable in an era when student development is increasingly connected to academic performance, mental wellbeing, career preparation and social adjustment.
Her previous experience within LASU could also help her understand the institution's strengths and weaknesses from the inside.
But experience alone will not determine the success of the new administration.
The real test will be implementation.
Students will judge the administration by their daily experience.
Lecturers will judge it by working conditions, research support and academic freedom.
Non-academic staff will judge it by management and welfare.
Alumni will look at the university's reputation.
Government will expect measurable contributions to Lagos State.
Employers will look at the quality of graduates.
And the wider public will expect a university funded partly through public resources to demonstrate value.
The transition also provides an opportunity for the university to strengthen its relationship with the wider Lagos economy.
The state is home to technology companies, financial institutions, hospitals, manufacturing firms, creative businesses and government agencies.
LASU can connect its students and researchers to these sectors through internships, research partnerships, entrepreneurship programmes and professional training.
Such relationships can help make the university more responsive to the needs of society.
The new administration can also strengthen research around some of Lagos's most urgent problems, including transportation, flooding, waste management, public health, housing, education and digital transformation.
If academic knowledge is connected to practical solutions, LASU can become even more important to the development of the state.
The coming months will therefore be closely watched.
Professor Badejo's first priority will be to ensure a smooth transition.
After that, the institution will expect a clear strategic direction for the next five years.
The new Vice-Chancellor has an opportunity to build on what has worked, correct what has not worked and introduce new ideas where necessary.
For the thousands of students currently studying at LASU and the many more who will seek admission in future years, the quality of this leadership transition matters greatly.
A university is ultimately more than its buildings and administrative offices.
It is a community of students, lecturers, researchers, workers and graduates whose collective work contributes to society.
The responsibility now before Professor Badejo is to lead that community toward greater academic excellence, stronger research, better student services, improved staff welfare and stronger connections with the world beyond the university.
If those objectives are achieved, the next five years could become another important period in LASU's development.
For now, the university is preparing to close one leadership chapter and begin another.
Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo will take over as LASU's new Vice-Chancellor on September 20, 2026, with the expectations of students, staff, government and the wider public firmly placed on the new administration.
Iroyin Yoruba Television will continue to follow the leadership transition at Lagos State University and report major developments under the new administration.