Sanwo-Olu Appoints Ayodeji Badejo LASU’s 10th Vice-Chancellor
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appointed Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo as the 10th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), setting the stage for a new leadership era at the state-owned institution.
The appointment, announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, will see Badejo succeed Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, whose tenure is scheduled to end on September 19.
Badejo will officially assume office on September 20, 2026, for a single five-year term.
According to a statement by the university, the appointment was made by Governor Sanwo-Olu in his capacity as Visitor to LASU and in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State University Law 2004, as amended.
Professor Badejo, a Professor of Counselling Psychology, brings more than three decades of experience in teaching, research, university administration, mentorship and academic development to the position.
Born on August 4, 1962, Badejo obtained her Nigeria Certificate in Education in 1983 before earning a Bachelor of Education degree in 1986, Master of Education in 1988 and PhD in Guidance and Counselling in 1998.
Her rise to the vice-chancellorship follows years of involvement in LASU’s academic and administrative structures, including service on the university’s Governing Council and as Chairman of the Senate Curriculum Committee.
She also served as Dean of the Faculty of Education, where her tenure recorded notable developments in staff advancement and programme accreditation.
According to LASU, about 20 academic staff members were promoted to the professorial cadre during her leadership of the faculty, while all programmes secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission.
Her record in financial and institutional management is also expected to attract attention as she prepares to take charge of one of Nigeria’s prominent state universities.
As Chairman of the Lagos State University International School Board, Badejo reportedly oversaw an increase in the school’s capital reserves from approximately ₦88 million to ₦121 million while eliminating structural financial deficits.
The period also witnessed growth in staff strength and student enrolment alongside strong performance in public examinations.
Beyond administration, Badejo has established a significant record in postgraduate education. Between 2012 and 2026, she supervised 23 PhD graduates, earning recognition as a “Mentor of Mentors.”
One of the doctoral researchers under her supervision received the 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award.
Her scholarly portfolio includes four books, 17 book chapters and more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, bringing her major academic publications to over 80.
Badejo has also served as Chairman of the LASU Research Ethics Committee, where she was involved in strengthening ethical standards for research and building the capacity of committee members.
She is a Fellow of the Counselling Association of Nigeria and the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria, as well as a member of the American Psychological Association and Nigerian Academy of Education.
Her professional recognitions include the Key to the City of Niagara Falls, New York, as well as a Distinguished Personality Award for excellence in higher education in Africa presented in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2025.
Her appointment marks another leadership transition at LASU as the university prepares for the conclusion of Olatunji-Bello’s tenure.
With her background in curriculum development, research, financial management, mentorship and institutional administration, attention will now turn to how Badejo deploys her experience to consolidate LASU’s academic standing and address emerging challenges in higher education during her five-year tenure.
