Three professors who contested the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI) have congratulated Prof. Peter Olamakinde Olapegba on his appointment as the institution’s 14th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
The Governing Council of the university recently approved Olapegba’s appointment after considering the report and recommendation of the Selection Board, making him the successor to the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale.
Among those who extended goodwill messages were Prof. Ebenezer Farombi of the Department of Biochemistry, Prof. Adeyinka Abideen Aderinto of the Department of Sociology and Prof. Adebola Ekanola of the Department of Philosophy, all of whom reached the final stage of the selection process.
In congratulatory messages, the professors wished Olapegba a successful tenure and expressed confidence in his capacity to provide purposeful leadership for Nigeria’s premier university.
They also pledged their support for his administration and urged members of the university community to rally behind the incoming Vice-Chancellor in the collective interest of the institution.
Their gesture has been widely regarded as a demonstration of sportsmanship, academic collegiality and commitment to the shared values of the university, despite the keenly contested selection process.
The goodwill messages further underscore the spirit of unity within the University of Ibadan community as Olapegba prepares to assume office and steer the institution’s teaching, research, innovation and community service agenda.
The congratulatory gesture has also been hailed as an example worthy of emulation in leadership contests across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, reinforcing the values of mutual respect, institutional loyalty and academic excellence.
