Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appointed a professor of Public and Community Health, and former Provost of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Olumuyiwa Odusanya, as the pioneer substantive vice-chancellor for the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu.
Mr Odusanya, a director of research and innovation at the Lagos State University, was one of the strongest contenders for LASU’s vice-chancellorship position until the appointment of Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, a professor of Physiology, in September, 2021.
Mr Odusanya was singled out for the new position among more than 20 “eminently qualified scholars” reportedly headhunted by the search team.
A statement by the Office of the Special Adviser on Education (SAE) to Mr Sanwo-Olu, Tokunbo Wahab, said the appointment of the new VC took effect on 29 September.
Mr Odusanya, will take over from Oluremi Olaleye, a PhD holder in Microbiology and substantive Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, who was in March appointed in acting capacity.
Mr Olaleye, also a contender for the position, has been asked to revert to his position as the rector of the polytechnic pending when the last student of the polytechnic would be graduated.
The statement, which was signed by an Assistant Director, Public Affairs Unit of the SAE office, Adesoye Oyelami, noted that Mr Olaleye has been directed “to resume his duty post as the LASPOTECH’s substantive rector for the next three years and two months remaining for him to complete his tenure.”
The statement reads in part; “It would be recalled that the State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the take -off of the new university , approved the appointment of the then substantive Rector of the former Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, Dr. Nurudeen Olaleye as the Ag. Vice- Chancellor of the University, pending the selection and appointment of the substantive Vice- Chancellor.
“The State government noted that it has become imperative to appoint a substantive Vice- Chancellor for the institution (LASUSTECH) to ensure that there is no void in the University’s leadership and to maintain the necessary stability of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology from time to time.”
Mr Wahab thanked Mr Olaleye for “using his experience and good managerial skills to set the new University on a good track.”
“He (Mr Wahab) noted that posterity would judge him (Mr Olaleye) aright as one of the foundation Management Heads of the University in the future, adding that his efforts would pave the way for the new administration to start on a good pedestal.”
The new and substantive LASUSTECH vice-chancellor was born on the 8 February, 1965. A Fellow of the Medical College in Public Health and Community Medicine (FMCPH), who holds Master of Public Health from University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
Until his new appointment, Professor Odusanya is a Professor of Community and Primary Health in the Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care in the Faculty Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Lagos State University.