Seven Things About Prof. Olawunmi Badejo, Third Female VC in LASU History

“10th substantive VC, UNILAG Product, and more;” Here are ‘half a dozen plus one’ facts you probably didn’t know about the Professor of Guidance and Counselling

Lagos State University has a new leader. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo as the new Vice-Chancellor of LASU, the state government announced on Wednesday.

The appointment was made public in a statement signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. According to the statement, Prof. Badejo succeeds Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, whose five-year tenure expired in September 2025 after she assumed office in September 2021.

1: SHE IS A PROFESSOR OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

Prof. Badejo is a Professor of Guidance and Counselling. Her entire academic career has centered on student development, mental health, and educational psychology — a background that positions her to focus on student welfare at LASU, one of Nigeria’s largest state universities.

2: SHE IS A UNILAG PRODUCT

Her academic foundation was built at the University of Lagos. The statement said she obtained both her Ph.D in Guidance and Counselling and her http://M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling from UNILAG. That makes her one of the few LASU VCs with all her postgraduate training from Nigeria’s premier university.

3: SHE BRINGS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE

Born on August 4, 1962, Prof. Badejo comes into the role with years of experience in teaching, research and university administration. Colleagues describe her as a scholar who has mentored students and lecturers across the education sector.

4: SHE TAKES OVER AT A CRITICAL TIME FOR LASU

LASU has grown in national ranking under the last administration and is now regarded as the best state university in Nigeria. Prof. Badejo inherits that momentum and will be expected to sustain academic excellence, improve infrastructure, and maintain stability on campus.

5: SHE IS THE THIRD FEMALE VC IN LASU’S HISTORY

She succeeds Prof. Olatunji-Bello, who was LASU’s second female Vice-Chancellor. With this appointment, LASU continues the streak of female leadership at the top, a move many in the university community see as progress for gender representation in Nigerian academia. The first female VC is Professor Jadesola Akande.

6: COUNSELLING BACKGROUND MAY SHAPE HER PRIORITIES

As a Guidance and Counselling expert, expectations are high that Prof. Badejo will prioritize student mental health, career guidance, and anti-cultism campaigns. Stakeholders believe her expertise could strengthen LASU’s support systems for over 30,000 students.

7: SHE WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT

The appointment was confirmed directly by Governor Sanwo-Olu. The official statement, issued by the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, named her as “Professor BADEJO Ayodeji Olawunmi (Nee Faji),” signaling that the new VC will work closely with the Lagos State Government on the university’s strategic direction.

With her appointment now in effect, all eyes will be on Prof. Olawunmi Badejo to see how she builds on LASU’s gains. From improving research output to expanding student support, the Guidance and Counselling professor now has the mandate to guide Nigeria’s flagship state university into its next chapter.

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