Women Rising: LASU’s New Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Takes Her Place As The New Amazon
The Oasis Reporters
September 18, 2021
When former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida handpicked Itsekiri born Prof. Grace Alele – Williams to leave University of Lagos and proceed to become Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, another first generation university, he was kick starting another historical chain that women should no longer be pall rice, eaten only when there was no other choice. Gen. Babangida was military dictator from 1985-1993.
award winning Professor of medicine Olufunmilayo Olopade, OON. A hematology oncologist in University of Chicago (middle), Emeritus professor Grace Alele-Williams (right).
Strength of character saw them through. They were honoured by University of Ibadan in November 2018.
Photo credit: Sholloms studio.
Since then, the march of feminine power has been rising all over Nigeria. Today, another woman, Professor Lilian Salami is yet again Vice Chancellor of the same University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Lagos State University has joined the train after a few other Nigerian universities have picked women to head them. Wife of Lagos State Commissioner, Prof (Mrs) Olatunji-Bello, has been appointed the new LASU Vice Chancellor.
Here are some facts about her.
She’s a professor of Physiology, and had served as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution before her elevation. She is the wife of the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello.
With this appointment, she becomes the ninth Vice Chancellor of LASU and the second female to occupy the exalted post in the Lagos State-owned tertiary institution.
Her appointment was announced in a statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, titled, ‘Sanwo-Olu approves appointment of Vice Chancellor for LASU’, on Thursday.
Sixteen facts you need to know about Prof. Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, the new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Lagos State University (LASU)
1. She was born on April 23, 1964 to Mrs. Jadesola Ibidapo (nee Abraham) of Ita Kose, Lagos Island and Mr Emiola Ibidapo-Okunrinboye of Owo, Ondo State.
2. She attended Anglican Girls Primary School in Surulere from 1970 to 1974 and then Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School in Surulere, between 1974 and 1979. She proceeded to Methodist Girls High School in Yaba, and Lagos State College of Science and Technology, Ikosi Campus where she did her “A” levels in 1982.
3. She attended the prestigious University of Ibadan where she bagged a BSc (Hons) in Physiology in 1985. After her NYSC at the University of Lagos, she was awarded MSc Physiology in 1987 at the University of Lagos. She attended a 6-month research training in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in the US in 1994.
4. In 1998, she was awarded a PhD in Physiology at the University of Lagos.
5. She bagged a Post-graduate Diploma in Theology from the Bible College of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the year 2001 and a Post-graduate Diploma in Education PGDE at the Lagos State University in 2018.
6. She rose through the ranks from an Assistant Lecturer (1988-1991), Lecturer II between 1991 and 1996, Lecturer 1 between 1996 to 1999 at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi Araba.
7. Between 1999 and 2005, she was a Senior Lecturer. She was Associate Professor between 2005 and October 1, 200 at the UNILAG College of Medicine.
8. In October 2007, she assumed duty as the first Professor of Physiology in Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM).
9. In 2012, she was nominated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to attend Course 34 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State – the highest policy advisory body of the Federal Government. She was awarded Member of the National Institute (mni) certificate.
10. She was awarded a fellowship by the Physiological Society in United Kingdom (UK) in 2017 and followed by the fellowship of the Physiological Society of Nigeria. She was appointed a Fellow of the society for Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation in 2019.
11. She has held positions, which include: Acting Vice Chancellor, LASU (July –December 2010; January – October 2011).
Deputy Vice Chancellor (December 2008 – December 2010)
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), LASU (November 2011- January 2013
Head, Department of Physiology, LASUCOM (October 2007 – December 2008)
12. She was State Government’s representative on the Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council, between 2004 and 2008. She was LASU’s Senate representative in the Governing Council.
13. She is the pioneering Director of LASU Directorate of Advancement established by former Vice Chancellor, Prof Lanre Fagbohun, in 2016
14. She has graduated 4 PhDs and 37 MSc candidates, while still supervising more PhD students. A brilliant academic, she has over 53 publications to her credit.
15. She is happily married to Mr. Tunji Bello, a journalist and lawyer. They are blessed with 3 children.
16. She is the Area Pastor in charge of the Testimony Chapel, an area under Lagos Province 1 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
