Who Is LASU’s New VC, Professor Ayodeji Badejo? 10 Things To Know
Kehinde Adeleye
Professor Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo has been appointed the 10th substantive Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, LASU, by Lagos State Governor and Visitor to the university, Babajide Sanwo Olu.
Her appointment was announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
Badejo will succeed Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji Bello, whose 5 year tenure ends on September 19, 2026. She will assume office on September 20 for a single 5 year term.
Here are 10 things to know about LASU’s new Vice Chancellor.
1. She is a Professor of Counselling Psychology
Professor Badejo is a Professor of Counselling Psychology with more than 3 decades of experience in teaching, research, academic administration, mentorship and institutional leadership.
2. She has been at LASU for years
Badejo has held several academic and administrative positions at Lagos State University, including membership of the university’s Governing Council and chairmanship of the Senate Curriculum Committee.
3. She has a strong academic background
She obtained her NCE in 1983, B.Ed in 1986, M.Ed in 1988 and PhD in Guidance and Counselling in 1998.
4. She played a major role in curriculum development
As Chairman of the Senate Curriculum Committee, Badejo was involved in curriculum development, academic planning and the alignment of LASU programmes with National Universities Commission, NUC, requirements.
She also contributed to the development and introduction of new academic programmes.
5. She previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Education
During her tenure as Dean, approximately 20 academic staff in the faculty were promoted to the professorial cadre, while all programmes in the faculty secured full NUC accreditation.
6. She has experience managing institutional finances
As Chairman of the LASU International School Board, Badejo led initiatives that increased the school’s capital reserves from approximately ₦88 million to ₦121 million.
Her tenure also saw the elimination of structural financial deficits, alongside growth in staff strength and student enrolment.
7. She is a major mentor of PhD students
Between 2012 and 2026, Badejo successfully supervised 23 PhD graduates.
Her record earned her recognition as a “Mentor of Mentors”. One of the scholars she supervised received the 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award.
8. She is a prolific scholar
Badejo has authored 4 books, contributed 17 book chapters and published more than 60 peer reviewed journal articles.
Her total scholarly output is stated to be more than 80 major publications.
9. She has been involved in research ethics and professional counselling
She served as Chairman of the LASU Research Ethics Committee, where she was involved in the ethical review of research protocols and capacity building.
She is also a Fellow of the Counselling Association of Nigeria, CASSON, and a Fellow of the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria, APROCON.
She is additionally associated with professional bodies including the American Psychological Association and the Nigerian Academy of Education.
10. She has received national and international recognition
Among her recognitions is the Key to the City of Niagara Falls, New York.
She received fellowship recognition from CASSON in 2015 and APROCON in 2022. In 2025, she was honoured in Pretoria, South Africa, with a Distinguished Personality Award for excellence in higher education in Africa.
Professor Badejo now takes charge of LASU with experience spanning academic scholarship, curriculum development, university administration, financial management, research ethics and student mentorship.
She becomes the university’s 10th substantive Vice Chancellor and is expected to begin her 5 year tenure on September 20, 2026.
