Professor Peter Olapegba has officially assumed office as the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, promising purposeful leadership and reforms aimed at positioning the institution as a global centre of academic excellence.

Olapegba took over the leadership of the university on Monday, November 2, 2026, unveiling an administration focused on digitalisation, artificial intelligence, research development, improved staff welfare, infrastructure renewal and stronger international partnerships.

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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 institution’s 13th Vice-Chancellor on October 14, 2021, and officially assumed office on November 1, 2021.

In 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 heritage while embracing the changes needed to remain relevant in an evolving world.

He stressed that his administration would build on the achievements of previous university leaders rather than abandon the foundations they had established.

Olapegba, who joined the university’s service on June 1, 2000, disclosed that his strategic direction for 2026 to 2031 would be developed into a 10-year strategic plan to guide the institution’s future development.

He said his vision was to establish the University of Ibadan as a global leader in academics, cutting-edge research, human capital development, innovation and service delivery.

“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,” he said.

The new Vice-Chancellor identified the university community as its greatest asset, noting that academic and non-academic staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders would remain central to his administration’s policies.

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 to introduce a student-centred service delivery system without compromising the institution’s academic standards.

He identified access to information, responsive administrative services, adequate learning facilities, reliable digital services, campus security and graduate employability as key areas requiring attention.

Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence in higher education, the professor said the university must move beyond consuming AI technologies to becoming a creator, researcher, regulator and responsible user of such innovations.

“We must build an AI-ready University,” he declared.

He explained that the initiative would involve strengthening digital infrastructure, establishing smart classrooms and laboratories, modernising digital libraries and equipping staff and students with artificial intelligence skills.

On research development, Olapegba said the institution must become more research-intensive and produce 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 deepen partnerships with industries and other academic institutions to attract research funding.

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

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the importance of sustainable funding, noting that government support alone might not be sufficient to meet the financial demands of modern higher education.

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

On national development, Olapegba said the university must contribute meaningfully to addressing challenges such as unemployment, insecurity, public health concerns, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, educational inequality and technological dependence.

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

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

Lawal said Olapegba’s inauguration demonstrated that leadership changes could take place peacefully within public institutions.

The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Senatorial candidate Remi Oseni, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Musibau Adetunji, and traditional rulers from the Ibarapa zone.

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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.