Lagos State University (LASU) has conferred the rank of Distinguished Professor on its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, and Professor Rafiu Olaoluwa Okuneye, in recognition of their outstanding scholarly contributions, academic leadership and service to the university and society.
The conferment took place on Monday during the university’s convocation ceremony at the Tunji Bello Auditorium, LASU Epe Campus.
The university said the honours followed recommendations by the Senate and subsequent approval by the Governing Council, with the recipients being admitted to the rank with the rights and privileges attached to the distinction.
Olatunji-Bello honoured for scholarship and institutional leadership
Professor Olatunji-Bello, a Professor of Physiology, has served as the ninth substantive and second female Vice-Chancellor of LASU since her appointment in September 2021.
She obtained her BSc in Physiology from the University of Ibadan in 1985, an MSc in Physiology from the University of Lagos in 1987 and a PhD in Physiology from the University of Lagos in 1998. She was appointed Professor by LASU in 2007 and subsequently became the first Professor of Physiology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine.
Before becoming Vice-Chancellor, she held several senior positions at LASU, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pioneer Director of the Directorate of Advancement.
Her professional distinctions include membership of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, fellowships of several professional bodies and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM).
She has also played prominent roles beyond LASU. She is Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria and has served on national bodies including the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board and the Nigerian Research and Education Network.
Under her administration, LASU has recorded a number of institutional developments, including the establishment of new faculties and schools, expansion of academic programmes, increased digitalisation and major infrastructure projects.
The university has also highlighted its performance in several national and international rankings and its emergence as a major recipient of research and technology-related investments.
In recognising her, the Governing Council cited her research efforts and scholarly contributions to Physiology, administrative leadership, promotion of research and innovation, and service to LASU and humanity.
Okuneye recognised for decades of academic service
Professor Rafiu Olaoluwa Okuneye, a scholar of Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, was also admitted to the rank of Distinguished Professor.
Born on March 31, 1961, in Ijebu-Igbo, Okuneye graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, in 1987.
He obtained his master’s degree and PhD from the University of Lagos in 1988 and 1992 respectively.
Okuneye joined LASU in 1989 and became a permanent member of staff in 1991. He rose through the academic ranks and became a Professor in 2008.
Over more than three decades at LASU, he has occupied numerous academic and administrative positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Education and Head of the Epe Campus.
He is the pioneer Director of the Directorate of Quality Assurance, a position from which he has contributed to programme accreditation and quality assurance at the university. He currently serves as Director of the LASU Directorate of Advancement.
He has also served on the university’s Governing Council on three occasions, represented the Senate and Congregation, and chaired several strategic committees.
Beyond LASU, Okuneye has held leadership positions in professional organisations, including serving as National President of the Nigeria Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER.SD) from 2018 to 2022.
During his tenure, he played a role in securing the inclusion of Physical and Health Education as a UTME subject from 2022.
The professor has also served as a visiting professor, external examiner, moderator and resource person for university accreditation exercises. He has supervised doctoral students and published books, book chapters and scholarly articles in local and international outlets.
His research and professional engagements have taken him to several countries, including Turkey, Ghana, Uganda, the United States, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and Japan.
The Governing Council said his elevation was based on his scholarly contributions to education, particularly Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, his administrative leadership, research and innovation, and meritorious service to LASU and humanity.
Recognition of academic excellence
The conferment places both scholars among the distinguished academic ranks of LASU and highlights the university’s recognition of sustained scholarship, institutional leadership and service.
For Olatunji-Bello, the honour comes while she continues to lead LASU’s internationalisation, digital transformation, research and infrastructural development agenda.
For Okuneye, it represents recognition of a career spanning more than three decades of teaching, research, academic administration, professional leadership and service to the university.
The university’s Governing Council formally admitted both academics to the rank of Distinguished Professor, granting them the rights and privileges associated with the rank.
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