LASU Senate Holds Valedictory Session in Honour of Departing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello

The Senate of Lagos State University (LASU), on Thursday, August 27, 2026, held a valedictory session in honour of the University’s ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola OLATUNJI-BELLO, mni, NPOM, as she approaches the conclusion of her single five-year tenure.

The 332nd Statutory Senate Meeting, held at the Senate Chamber of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Building, LASU Main Campus, Ojo, brought together Principal Officers, members of Senate and other academic leaders to reflect on the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure and the institutional developments recorded under her administration.

Opening the proceedings, the Registrar of the University, Mr Emmanuel A. FANU, presented an overview of Professor OLATUNJI-BELLO’s tenure and contributions to LASU.

He recalled that Professor OLATUNJI-BELLO was appointed Vice-Chancellor in September 2021 by the Visitor to the University and Governor of Lagos State, upon the recommendation of the 11th Governing Council. She subsequently assumed office on Monday, September 20, 2021.

Her single, non-renewable five-year tenure will formally end on September 19, 2026.

According to the Registrar, Professor OLATUNJI-BELLO presided over 55 statutory Senate meetings, beginning with her inaugural session on October 20, 2021, in addition to several extraordinary meetings held during her tenure.

The University also hosted 47 inaugural lectures under her administration, reflecting sustained academic and intellectual engagement across the institution.

In her valedictory address, Professor OLATUNJI-BELLO expressed gratitude to God, the Lagos State Government and the University community, while emphasising the importance of collective leadership in advancing LASU.

She highlighted key achievements recorded by her administration in academic accreditation, research and innovation, infrastructure, financial sustainability, and staff and student welfare.

Among the achievements she highlighted were the establishment of LASU as a TETFund Centre of Excellence and the promotion of 127 academic staff to the rank of Professor.

She urged the Senate to sustain the University’s mission and institutional continuity, stressing that while administrations may change, “LASU must remain.”

On academic excellence and accreditation, the Vice-Chancellor cited the systematic accreditation of programmes, strengthened quality assurance processes and the expansion of degree offerings in response to emerging academic and professional demands.

Several members of Senate delivered goodwill messages during the session, praising the Vice-Chancellor’s vision, foresight, courage, motherly approach to leadership, humility and administrative acumen.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of Senate, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Oseni Taiwo AFISI, FSPSP, MCIOD, described the occasion as a celebration of the institutional transformation recorded under Professor OLATUNJI-BELLO’s leadership.

“Today, we are not merely marking the conclusion of your tenure as Chairman of Senate; we are celebrating a lasting transformation,” he said.

He added that under her stewardship, academic programmes were strengthened, research output expanded and quality assurance institutionalised.

“You taught us that leadership is service, and you leave Lagos State University significantly stronger, better positioned, and globally respected,” Professor AFISI stated.

At the close of the proceedings, Senate noted that the 334th Statutory Senate Meeting, scheduled for September 2026, will mark the transition to a new administrative era following the conclusion of the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure on September 19, 2026.

Professor OLATUNJI-BELLO leaves Lagos State University with a record of academic development, research and innovation, infrastructure renewal, institutional governance, and staff and student welfare as the University prepares for the next phase of its leadership.