The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has appointed Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello as the new Pro-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
She is the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) and will also serve as Chairman of the university’s Governing Council.
The appointment makes her the first woman to hold the position since the university was established in 2005.
A statement on the university’s official page on Saturday said the appointment took effect from November 1, for an initial three-year tenure.
Adeboye, who is the university’s Visitor, conveyed the appointment in a letter dated November 1.
In the letter, he expressed confidence in her ability to contribute to the institution’s growth. He described the appointment as “a product of the trust which is reposed in you”.
He urged her to justify that confidence by helping the university achieve “the lofty vision set for it”. He also congratulated her and wished her a successful tenure.
As Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, she is expected to provide strategic leadership for the governing council and strengthen governance, institutional development and academic excellence.
The immediate past Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, called her the right choice for the role. He said she would bring “tremendous impact and significant value” to the university, citing the “huge social capital and goodwill” she carries.
The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Prof. Shadrach Akindele, said the university was “happy and excited to have her on board” as it pursues higher achievements in global higher education.
Akindele said her appointment marked “a new era in financial sustainability and infrastructure development”. He added that it would sustain the vision and legacies of Ogundipe, who has since become Chairman of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Board.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ayodeji Badejo, also congratulated her and described the appointment as well deserved. He said her experience in academic leadership, governance and administration would help the growth of Redeemer’s University.
Olatunji-Bello was the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU, serving from September 2021 to September 2026. She was the second woman to hold the post.
She has been a professor of physiology since 2007 and was named a Distinguished Professor by LASU in January 2026.
She began her academic career at the University of Lagos in 1988 as an assistant lecturer. At LASU, she served as Head of the Department of Physiology, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Directorate of Advancement before becoming Vice-Chancellor.
She holds a PhD in Physiology from the University of Lagos and is a member of the National Institute (mni), having attended Course 34 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, in 2012.
In May 2023, she received the National Productivity Order of Merit Award from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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