How Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Emerged LASU VC After 10-month Intrigue
Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-appointment Bello’s as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) marked the end of a 10-month trip that saw two exercises canceled.
Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun’s term ended on January 11, 2021. Ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode appointed Professor of Environmental Law and ex-Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu suspended the process to select Fagbohun’s successor days before he left office and ordered that a new one be completed within 45 days.
The Visitor to the University issued the directive in response to stakeholder engagement, petitions, and investigations into anomalies.
The governor has requested Fagbohun to call an emergency Senate meeting to choose an Acting Vice Chancellor from among the Deputy Vice Chancellors who were not candidates in the cancelled process.
The Senate was also urged to appoint a pro tem chairman to oversee the selection of the Acting VC.
Sanwo-Olu fired the Governing Council and the Pro-Chancellor/Council Chairman in May, again on the advice of the Special Visitation Panel.
The governor noted gross violations of existing laws, a lack of due process, and a disrespect for the nomination process’ standards.
The job of interviewing a new VC was handed to the reformed council. Exemptions were granted to members of the sacked Council and Senate Committee who took part in the two failed exercises.
Similarly, the Registrar and Council Secretary were ordered to take leave until the appointment process was completed.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello was finally named for the position on Thursday, September 16.
Sanwo-Olu appointed her, according to Information Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, based on the advice of the Joint Committee of Council and Senate and the LASU Law, Cap 169 Vol 7, Laws of Lagos State.
Prof. Omotayo Awofolu and Prof. Senapon Bakare were the other contenders for the position, and their names were submitted in order of ranking.
After advancing from Assistant Lecturer (1988 to 1991) to Associate Professor in 2005 at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Olatunji-Bello became the First Professor of Physiology at LASU College of Medicine on October 2, 2007.
As a nominee of the National Universities Commission, Olatunji-Bello attended Course 34 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Nigeria’s highest policy advising body, in 2012. (NUC).
She was named a Fellow of the Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation in 2019 after receiving a Fellowship Award from the Physiological Society of Nigeria.
The new LASU Vice Chancellor is the wife of Tunji Bello, the former Secretary to the State Government and current Commissioner for the Environment.
