Adeboye appoints ex-LASU VC As Redeemer’s University’s first female Pro-Chancellor

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has appointed Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.

The appointment makes Olatunji-Bello the first woman to occupy the position since the institution was established in 2005.

According to a statement published on the university’s official page on Saturday, the appointment takes effect from November 1, 2026, and will run for an initial three-year term.

Olatunji-Bello is a former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU).

The appointment was conveyed in a letter dated November 1, 2026, by Adeboye, who is also the Visitor to the university.

In the letter, Adeboye expressed confidence in her ability to contribute to the university’s development, describing the appointment as “a product of the trust which is reposed in you”.

He also expressed the expectation that she would justify the confidence placed in her by helping the institution achieve “the lofty vision set for it”.

Adeboye congratulated her on the appointment and wished her a successful tenure, saying, “While we wish you a successful tenure, kindly accept our congratulations.”

As Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Olatunji-Bello is expected to provide strategic leadership to the university’s Governing Council and contribute to strengthening its institutional governance, strategic direction and pursuit of academic excellence.

Reacting to the appointment, the immediate past Pro-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described Olatunji-Bello as the right choice for the position.

Ogundipe said her appointment was expected to make “tremendous impact and significant value” to the university, citing the “huge social capital and goodwill” she brings to the role.

The Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Professor Shadrach Akindele, also welcomed her appointment, saying the university was “happy and excited to have her on board” as it continued its drive towards higher achievements in global higher education.

Akindele added that her emergence marked “a new era in financial sustainability and infrastructure development”, while sustaining the vision and legacies of Ogundipe, who has since become Chairman of the National Universities Commission Board.

In a separate statement, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ayodeji Badejo, congratulated Olatunji-Bello, describing the appointment as well deserved.

Badejo said her experience in academic leadership, institutional governance and administration would contribute to the growth and development of Redeemer’s University.

She expressed confidence that Olatunji-Bello’s “wealth of experience, proven leadership capacity and commitment to excellence” would make significant contributions to the institution.

Olatunji-Bello served as the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of LASU from September 2021 to September 2026, becoming the second woman to hold the position.

She was appointed a professor of physiology in 2007 and was conferred with the title of Distinguished Professor by LASU in January 2026.

She began her academic career at the University of Lagos in 1988 as an assistant lecturer and rose through the ranks before joining LASU.

During her career at LASU, she served as Head of the Department of Physiology, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Directorate of Advancement.

She holds a PhD in Physiology from the University of Lagos and is a member of the National Institute (mni), following her participation in Course 34 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, in 2012.

In May 2023, she received the National Productivity Order of Merit Award from former President Muhammadu Buhari.