Redeemer’s University has appointed former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, as its first female Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council since the institution was established in 2005.
The appointment takes effect from 1 November 2026 and is for an initial three-year tenure.
The appointment was conveyed in a letter dated 1 November 2026 by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Visitor to the university, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye.
In the letter, Pastor Adeboye expressed confidence in Professor Olatunji-Bello’s ability to contribute to the university’s development, describing the appointment as a demonstration of the trust placed in her.
He also expressed hope that she would use her experience and leadership capacity to advance the institution’s vision and academic objectives.
As Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, she is expected to provide strategic leadership to the university’s governing council, strengthen institutional governance and support its drive towards academic excellence.
The appointment comes as Redeemer’s University continues to expand its academic programmes, promote research and innovation, and strengthen its position within the global higher education sector.
The immediate past Pro-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described Olatunji-Bello as an appropriate choice for the position, expressing confidence that her appointment would bring significant value to the university.
He said her extensive experience, professional networks and goodwill, accumulated through years of public service and academic leadership, would contribute to the institution’s continued development.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, welcomed her appointment, describing it as an important development in the university’s pursuit of greater recognition in the global higher education landscape.
He expressed optimism that her leadership would support efforts to improve financial sustainability and infrastructure development while sustaining the institutional vision and achievements of the previous administration.
Professor Ogundipe has since moved on to become Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Professor Olatunji-Bello was born in Lagos on 23 April 1964. She attended Anglican Girls’ Primary School, Surulere, Lagos Anglican Girls’ Grammar School and Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba, before completing her A-Level studies at the Lagos State College of Science and Technology, Ikosi, in 1982.
She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from the University of Ibadan in 1985 and a Master’s degree in Physiology from the University of Lagos in 1987.
She later undertook a six-month research fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Centre, San Antonio, United States, in 1994, before earning her PhD in Physiology from the University of Lagos in 1998.
Her academic career began at the University of Lagos in 1988 as an Assistant Lecturer. She subsequently rose through the academic ranks before joining Lagos State University, where she became a professor in 2007.
In January 2026, LASU Senate conferred on her the title of Distinguished Professor of Physiology in recognition of her contributions to academic development.
Beyond her scientific qualifications, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology from the Redeemed Christian Church of God Bible College, obtained in 2001, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from LASU in 2018.
In 2012, she attended Course 34 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, as a nominee of the National Universities Commission. She was subsequently awarded the prestigious Member of the National Institute (mni) distinction.
Professor Olatunji-Bello has held several academic and administrative positions during her career at Lagos State University.
She served as Head of the Department of Physiology at the LASU College of Medicine between 2007 and 2008.
She also held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor between 2008 and 2010 and later served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) from 2011 to 2013.
Her other appointments included Acting Vice-Chancellor between July and December 2010 and January and October 2011, as well as Pioneer Director of the Directorate of Advancement from 2016 to 2020.
On 17 September 2021, she was appointed the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University and its second female Vice-Chancellor by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
She also served on the university’s Governing Council in different capacities, including as a government representative, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Senate representatives
Professor Olatunji-Bello is a fellow of several professional organisations, including the Physiological Society of the United Kingdom, the Physiological Society of Nigeria, the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation, the Nigerian Psychological Association and the Society of Educational Administrators of Nigeria.
She also holds fellowships from the National Labour Institute and the Society for Peace Studies and Practice.
In May 2023, she received the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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