Olapegba, who formally assumed office on Monday, outlined an ambitious development agenda covering artificial intelligence, infrastructure renewal, staff and students’ welfare, research advancement and stronger international collaborations.
He made the commitment during his inaugural address, titled From Tradition to Transformation: A Blueprint for Repositioning the University of Ibadan as an Architect of the Future, delivered at the Chapel of Resurrection and Trenchard Hall, within the university campus in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The ceremony, which featured a thanksgiving service and inaugural lecture, marked the beginning of his tenure following the administration of his predecessor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who assumed office as the institution’s 13th Vice-Chancellor on November 1, 2021.
Speaking on his vision for the university, Olapegba emphasised the need to preserve the institution’s longstanding academic heritage while embracing emerging technologies and reforms capable of preparing it for future challenges.
He noted that his administration would build on the achievements of previous university leaders rather than abandon the foundations they had established.
According to him, the strategic direction for 2026–2031 would be developed into a 10-year strategic plan to provide a sustainable roadmap for the university’s development.
“The vision is to position the University of Ibadan as a global leader and centre of excellence in academics, cutting-edge research, human capital development, innovation and service delivery.
“We shall preserve what works, repair what requires attention, reform what has become inadequate, and create what the future requires,” he said.
The new vice-chancellor described the university community as its most valuable asset, assuring staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders that their interests would remain central to his administration.
“The academic and non-academic staff, students, alumni and the wider university community would remain central to my administration’s policies,” he said.
He pledged to promote professional development, mentorship, career progression, merit, fairness, inclusivity and accountability, while exploring practical measures to improve staff welfare.
On students’ welfare, Olapegba promised to introduce a student-centred service delivery approach that would improve their university experience without weakening the institution’s established academic standards.
He identified access to information, efficient administrative processes, improved learning facilities, reliable digital services, campus security and graduate employability as priority areas requiring attention.
The professor of psychology also highlighted artificial intelligence as a major force transforming higher education, stressing that the University of Ibadan must position itself to contribute to the development of the technology rather than remain a passive consumer.
“We must build an AI-ready University,” he declared.
He explained that achieving this ambition would require investment in digital infrastructure, smart classrooms, modern laboratories, upgraded digital libraries and improved AI literacy among staff and students.
On research and innovation, Olapegba said the institution must strengthen its research capacity and produce solutions to Nigeria’s pressing developmental challenges.
He disclosed plans to strengthen the Research Management Office, improve researchers’ capacity to secure grants, promote interdisciplinary collaboration and expand partnerships with industries, universities and other research institutions.
“Our ambition is not merely to publish papers; our ambition is to produce knowledge that changes lives,” he said.
Addressing the financial challenges facing universities, Olapegba acknowledged the importance of government funding but maintained that the institution must explore additional sources of revenue to sustain its development ambitions.
He identified research grants, endowments, philanthropy, alumni contributions, industry partnerships, consultancy services, knowledge commercialisation, intellectual property, executive education and university enterprises as potential avenues for generating sustainable income.
The vice-chancellor further stressed that the university must strengthen its contribution to national development by providing solutions to unemployment, insecurity, public health challenges, food insecurity, climate vulnerability, educational inequality and technological dependence.
He also drew attention to the university’s forthcoming 80th anniversary in 2028, describing the milestone as an opportunity for reflection and renewed commitment to the institution’s future.
“Our generation is not merely inheriting the University, we are borrowing it from generations yet unborn. And we must return it to them stronger than we received it,” he said.
Olapegba expressed appreciation to God, the Governing Council, his predecessor, Professor Adebowale, former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abel Olayinka, members of staff, religious leaders, family members and friends for their support.
He pledged to discharge his responsibilities with dedication, fairness and a strong sense of accountability.
“Together, we shall strive. Together, we shall transform. Together, we shall build. Together, we shall succeed,” he assured.
In his remarks, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, commended the university management for ensuring a peaceful transition between administrations.
Lawal said the smooth change of leadership demonstrated that institutional transitions could take place without unnecessary disruptions.
“With the inauguration of Olapegba as the 14th VC of the institution, the management has proved that transition from one administration to the other can be anchored peacefully,” he said.
The occasion attracted several dignitaries, including Lawal; the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli; the party’s Oyo South senatorial candidate, Remi Oseni; the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Adetunji; the pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Oluwole Alalade; Professor Deji Omole; and traditional rulers from the Ibarapa zone.
Olapegba is a Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan. His academic and research interests cover public health psychology, mental health, cross-cultural psychology, HIV/AIDS stigma, sexual health behaviour and social support.
His research engagements include internationally collaborative studies on body image and psychological well-being across 65 countries, as well as widely cited studies examining COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception and preventive behaviour among Nigerians.
He joined the services of the University of Ibadan on June 1, 2000, and brings years of academic, research and institutional experience to his new position.