The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (UI) has appointed Peter Olapegba, a professor of social and health psychology, as the institution’s 14th Vice Chancellor.

Mr Olapegba, who currently serves as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), will assume office on 1 November, when the tenure of the incumbent Vice Chancellor comes to an end.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by the university’s Directorate of Public Communication after the Governing Council approved the recommendation of the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board.

Eight candidates, one appointment

According to the statement, the appointment followed a competitive selection process conducted in line with the university’s governing regulations.

The council advertised the vacancy in April through three national newspapers and the university’s official bulletin, attracting six applications.

To widen the pool of candidates, the council also constituted a Search Team, as required by the University Act, to identify qualified academics who had not applied. The exercise produced two additional candidates, bringing the total number of contenders to eight.

On 21 July, the Governing Council met with all eight candidates and assessed them using its approved evaluation guidelines. Five candidates emerged in order of merit and progressed to the final stage of the process.

The following day, the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board interviewed the shortlisted candidates, after which Mr Olapegba emerged as the successful candidate.

Long career at UI

Mr Olapegba joined the University of Ibadan as an Assistant Lecturer on 1 June 2000, after a brief stint as a Research Officer with the National Examinations Council (NECO).

He was promoted to Professor of Applied Social Psychology on 1 October 2014 and has since held several leadership positions within the university.

These include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Sub-Dean (Postgraduate) and Director of Alumni Relations.

Beyond administration, he has authored more than 100 scholarly publications, secured several local and international research grants, and served as an external examiner for universities across Africa.

Academic journey

Born on 26 January 1970 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr Olapegba hails from Igbole Quarters in Igboora.

He attended Anglican Church Primary School, Ilutitun, Ondo State, before completing his primary education at St Paul’s African Primary School, Lanlate, in 1981. He later attended Lanlate High School between 1981 and 1986.

Before enrolling at the University of Ibadan, he worked as a sales clerk in Lagos.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UI in 1997, followed by a Master’s Degree in Social and Personality Psychology in 1999 and a PhD in Applied Social Psychology in 2008.

In addition to his academic qualifications, he holds a Diploma in International Boundary and Borderland Studies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology, and has received professional training in mediation and conciliation.