Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the appointment of Professor Badejo Ayodeji Olawunmi as the new Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, marking a leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s major state-owned universities.

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The appointment was announced by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Professor Badejo succeeds Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, whose five-year tenure is ending with her retirement from the university.

The appointment comes as LASU prepares for a fresh administrative chapter following the completion of Olatunji-Bello’s tenure.

Professor Badejo, a scholar in Guidance and Counselling, was born on August 4, 1962. She has built her academic career in the field and holds both a PhD and a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos.

Her academic background places student welfare, counselling and educational development among the areas associated with her professional expertise.

The appointment gives Professor Badejo the responsibility of leading LASU at a time when Nigerian universities are under increasing pressure to strengthen academic standards, research output, graduate employability and institutional administration.

For Lagos State, the leadership of LASU carries particular significance. The university has grown into a major institution serving students from Lagos and beyond, while also playing a prominent role in the state’s education and research landscape.

Professor Olatunji-Bello’s departure follows five years at the helm of the university. Her tenure included a period in which higher education institutions across Nigeria continued to navigate funding pressures, industrial disputes, technological changes and growing demands for improved learning infrastructure.

Professor Badejo now inherits the responsibility of building on existing achievements while addressing the challenges that accompany the management of a large public university.

The Lagos State Government said the appointment was approved by Governor Sanwo-Olu on September 9, 2026.

The government did not immediately provide further details about Professor Badejo’s priorities or the specific terms of her appointment.

Her selection also places a woman at the centre of LASU’s senior academic leadership as the institution enters another important phase of its development.

Professor Badejo’s experience in Guidance and Counselling could prove relevant to the wider student experience, particularly as universities increasingly place emphasis on mental wellbeing, academic support, career development and inclusive learning environments.

The transition is expected to attract attention from academics, students, alumni and other stakeholders who will be watching how the new administration approaches the university’s academic and institutional priorities.

Professor Badejo’s immediate task will be to assume leadership of the institution following the completion of Professor Olatunji-Bello’s five-year tenure and ensure continuity while establishing her own administrative direction.

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The appointment therefore represents more than a change of office. It is a significant moment for LASU as a new Vice-Chancellor takes responsibility for guiding the university through the next stage of its academic and institutional development.