Following the appointment of Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, here are 10 key facts about UI newly elected VC.

He is the 14th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba was appointed by the University’s Governing Council on July 22, 2026, following a competitive selection process involving eight candidates.

He succeeds Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale.
He will take over from Professor Kayode Adebowale, the University’s 13th Vice-Chancellor, whose five-year tenure comes to an end on November 1, 2026.

He previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration).
Before his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olapegba had been serving as the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) since November 9, 2023.

He is a Professor of Psychology.
Professor Olapegba is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Ibadan, with expertise in social and behavioural psychology.

 

He is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan.
He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Ibadan, where he later built his academic career.

He was born in Ibadan.
Born on January 26, 1970, Professor Olapegba hails from Igbole Quarters in Igboora, Oyo State, and received his primary and secondary education in Oyo and present-day Ondo State before proceeding to UI.

He once worked as a sales clerk.
Before gaining admission into the University of Ibadan, he worked as a sales clerk in Lagos, a journey that preceded his rise to becoming a professor and now Vice-Chancellor.

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Psychological Association.
Professor Olapegba is a Fellow of the Nigerian Psychological Association (FNPA) and has also been inducted as a Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice.

His leadership philosophy centres on service.
As Deputy Vice-Chancellor, he repeatedly described leadership as service, saying, “The only concept of leadership is servanthood. To lead is to serve.”

He was also inaugurated as the President of the Oyo State Scout Association on June 13th, 2024, a movement he has been part of since age 10.

His appointment followed a “rigorous selection process”.
According to the University’s Governing Council, eight candidates contested the position.

 

After interviews and assessments by the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board, Professor Olapegba emerged as the successful candidate and was unanimously approved by the Council.

Credit: IndyPress Archive, UI Directorate of Public Communication