Zaynab Openiyi, Editor, LASU Conscience
Leadership in a university is rarely measured by one project, one award or one administration. It is measured by what changes, what grows and, ultimately, what remains after the leader leaves office.
For Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, her five-year tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University has been defined by an attempt to move the institution beyond potential and towards measurable excellence.
When she assumed office as LASU’s ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor in September 2021, she became the first woman to occupy the position. Five years later, as her tenure draws to a close, her administration leaves behind a record spanning academics, infrastructure, research, technology, finance, sports and institutional visibility.
Her tenure has been a period in which LASU has continued to expand not only physically, but also in the ways it teaches, researches, competes and presents itself to the wider world.
ACADEMIC GROWTH AND EXCELLENCE
One of the strongest areas of the administration was academic development.
LASU recorded a 96 per cent success rate in its first accreditation exercise under her tenure, with 31 of 37 programmes receiving full accreditation. In 2023, 43 of 44 programmes presented also received full accreditation, while another 17 programmes secured full accreditation in 2026.
Her administration also established new faculties and schools and introduced more than 30 new academic programmes. Beyond programmes expansion, 127 academic staff were promoted to the rank of Professor, while the university hosted 47 inaugural lectures, reflecting sustained academic and intellectual activity.
BUILDING A BIGGER LASU
Her administration also recorded significant infrastructural development, with more than 50 projects completed or initiated through government funding, TETFund, donations and internally generated revenue.
Among them are the 8,000-bed student hostels, Students’ Arcade, a ₦3 billion TETFund-sponsored Academic Resource Centre, and the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, commissioned in 2025.
These projects go beyond buildings. For students, they mean more accommodation, learning spaces, research facilities and a more developed campus environment.
FROM ₦3 BILLION TO ₦13 BILLION
Perhaps one of the most striking figures from her scorecard is LASU’s financial growth.
The university’s internally generated revenue increased from ₦3 billion in September 2021 to ₦13 billion in September 2025 a ₦10 billion increase. Olatunji-Bello attributed the growth to improved financial processes, creativity, automation and better use of the university’s internal resources.
The administration also expanded income-generating ventures, including LASU Bakery and Confectioneries, LASU Water and short professional programmes.
RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND DIGITALISATION
Under Olatunji-Bello, LASU strengthened its focus on research and emerging technologies.
Researchers secured ₦29 million in grants from the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council, while TETFund approved ₦3 billion for a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cybersecurity.
The university also continued its Research and Innovation Fair, with the 2026 edition focusing on AI-driven research and innovation.
Digital transformation became another defining feature of the tenure. LASU was recognised as Nigeria’s Most Digitally Advanced State University at the Nigeria Technology Awards, while the National Universities Commission described it in 2023 as one of Nigeria’s most digitalised universities.
LASU ON THE AFRICAN STAGE
Her tenure also pushed LASU beyond the classroom.
In 2024, LASU co-hosted the All Africa University Games (FASU) with the University of Lagos. LASU emerged as the best Nigerian university and second overall in Africa, giving the university a major platform on the continental sporting scene.
The LASU Queens women’s football team also went on to qualify for the FISU University World Cup Football, further placing the university on the international sporting map.
FROM LOCAL REPUTATION TO NATIONAL VISIBILITY
The university’s growing visibility was also reflected in its rankings and admission demand.
LASU was ranked Best University in West Africa by UI GreenMetric in 2022, 2023 and 2024, while AD Scientific Index ranked it the Best State University in Nigeria in 2022 and 2023.
The university also recorded very high demand from prospective students, becoming Nigeria’s most subscribed university in the 2026 JAMB admission exercise, with more than 84,000 first-choice applications.
MORE THAN THE NUMBERS
Beyond projects and statistics, Olatunji-Bello’s tenure has also been marked by leadership recognition.
She received the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), became Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria in 2024, and received several national and international leadership honours.
Within LASU, her administration also maintained institutional continuity, presiding over 55 statutory Senate meetings and five uninterrupted convocation ceremonies.
THE LEGACY
At the end of every administration, the question is not only what was achieved? But what remains?
For Prof. Olatunji-Bello, the answer can be found in expanded academic programmes, new faculties and schools, infrastructure, increased revenue, research funding, digital systems, stronger sporting achievements and a university that has attracted growing national and international attention.
Her tenure has not completed LASU’s journey, no administration can. But it has added another significant chapter to it.
From “strong potential” to “proven excellence,” Prof. IbiyemiOlatunji-Bello leaves office with a record that will form part of LASU’s institutional history.
The buildings remain, the programmes continue, the research goes on.
The students remain at the heart of it all. And the story of LASU continues.
We are LASU. We are Great.
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Iyanu Sogbesan, Correspondent, LASU Conscience
