Professor of Counselling Psychology Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo will succeed Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello as the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), the Lagos State government announced yesterday.

The appointment, announced by Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, has the approval Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Visitor to state-run institution.

Prof Badejo is the institution’s 10th substantive vice chancellor, succeeding Prof Olatunji-Bello, whose five-year tenure will expire September 19.

Mrs. Badejo will assume office on September 20 for a single five-year term.

The appointment was made in accordance with the provisions of the LASU Law 2004 (as amended), which stipulates the procedure for appointing the university’s vice chancellor.

Badejo, born on August 4, 1962, has spent more than three decades in teaching, research, academic administration, mentorship and institutional leadership.

She obtained her National Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1983, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in 1986, Master of Education (M.Ed.) in 1988 and PhD in Guidance and Counselling in 1998.

At LASU, the incoming Vice Chancellor has held several strategic positions, including membership of the university’s Governing Council, Chairman of the Senate Curriculum Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Education.

As Chairman of the Senate Curriculum Committee, she was involved in curriculum development and validation, academic planning and the alignment of programmes with requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

She also facilitated the development and introduction of new academic programmes.

As Dean of the Faculty of Education, Badejo oversaw a period during which about 20 academic staff rose to the professorial cadre, while all programmes in the faculty secured full NUC accreditation.

Her administrative record also includes chairmanship of the LASU International School Board, where she led initiatives that increased the school’s capital reserves from about N88 million to N121 million and eliminated structural financial deficits.

Under her leadership, the school also recorded growth in staff strength and student enrolment, alongside sustained strong performance in public examinations.

Prof Badejo has also established a strong record in doctoral supervision and academic mentorship.

Between 2012 and 2026, she supervised 23 PhD graduates, earning recognition as a “Mentor of Mentors”. One of her supervisees received the 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award.

She has authored four books, contributed 17 book chapters and published more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, bringing her scholarly output to over 80 major publications.

Beyond conventional scholarship, she developed a patented Youth Anthem associated with LASU, reflecting her interest in youth development and social impact.

She has also chaired the LASU Research Ethics Committee, where she provided leadership in the ethical review of research protocols and training of committee members.

She is a Fellow of the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) and the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON). She is also associated with the American Psychological Association and the Nigerian Academy of Education.

Her recognitions include the Key to the City of Niagara Falls, New York; CASSON professional fellowship in 2015; APROCON fellowship in 2022; and a Distinguished Personality Award for excellence in higher education in Africa, presented in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2025.

The university described the incoming Vice-Chancellor as bringing to the position a combination of academic scholarship, institutional leadership, curriculum development, financial management, research ethics, innovation and mentorship.

Her appointment comes as LASU prepares for a leadership transition following the completion of Prof. Olatunji-Bello’s tenure, with the new administration expected to build on the university’s academic and institutional gains.