University of Ibadan Begins Search for 14th Vice-Chancellor
The University of Ibadan UI, has begun the search for its 14th Vice-Chancellor ahead of the vacancy in November 2026. Qualified professors with strong leadership, integrity, and vision are invited to apply.
Dray
The University of Ibadan has officially begun the process of selecting its 14th Vice-Chancellor, setting the stage for a significant leadership transition at Nigeria’s premier university.This development follows a public call for applications issued by the institution’s Registrar, Ganiyu Saliu, through an internal and external advertisement released on Thursday. According to the notice, the position will become vacant on November 1, 2026.
The university’s Governing Council had earlier approved the commencement of the selection process during its meeting on March 4, 2026. This move signals the start of what is expected to be a closely watched appointment, given the institution’s history and stature.
The current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, assumed office in October 2021 for a single five-year, non-renewable term. His appointment came after a prolonged and contentious selection process. The position had remained vacant since December 2020 due to disputes that ultimately led to the dissolution of the university’s governing council at the time.
A new council, chaired by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, was inaugurated in April 2021 to oversee a fresh selection process, which eventually led to Adebowale’s emergence later that year.
As part of the new search, the university has outlined strict eligibility criteria for prospective candidates. Applicants must not be older than 65 years by the expected date of assumption of duty and must have held the rank of professor for at least 10 years. In addition, candidates are expected to demonstrate strong academic credentials, administrative competence, and the capacity to provide visionary leadership.
The ideal candidate, according to the announcement, should possess proven integrity, command respect within both national and international academic communities, and foster unity among staff, students, and other stakeholders. The university is also seeking a leader with a clear development agenda, sound health, and the ability to attract funding to support institutional growth.
With the process now underway, attention will be on how the university navigates the selection to ensure a smooth and credible transition, avoiding the controversies that marked previous appointments.
