Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba is a distinguished Social and Health Psychologist, accomplished academic administrator, researcher and scholar. He is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Ibadan, a position he assumed on 9 November 2023 following his appointment by the Minister of Education on behalf of the University's Governing Council.
Born on January 26, 1970 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Olapegba hails from Igbole Quarters, Igbo-Ora, in Ibarapa region of Oyo State. He began his primary education at Anglican Church Primary School, Ilutitun, in present-day Ondo State before transferring to St. Paul's African Primary School, Lanlate, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1981. He attended Lanlate High School between 1981 and 1986 before working briefly as a sales clerk in Lagos.
Professor Olapegba proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Psychology in 1997, a Master of Science in Social/Personality Psychology in 1999, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Social Psychology in 2008. He also holds an Academic Diploma in International Boundary and Borderland Studies from the African Regional Institute, Imeko, Ogun State, and a Certificate in Professional Training from the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.
He worked briefly as a Research Officer with the National Examinations Council (NECO) before joining the University of Ibadan as an Assistant Lecturer on 1 June 2000. Through dedication, scholarship and outstanding service, he rose through the academic ranks and became a Professor of Social and Health Psychology on 1 October 2014.
An internationally respected scholar, Professor Olapegba has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings and books. He is the author of three books, has contributed chapters to several scholarly books, and has published over 110 journal articles and conference papers. His research spans behavioural sciences, social psychology, health psychology and related social science disciplines. He has successfully supervised four Ph.D. graduates, two M.Phil. candidates, numerous Master's and undergraduate research projects, and continues to supervise several doctoral candidates.
Professor Olapegba has received several prestigious research grants and fellowships, including the University of Ibadan Senate Research Grant and the ICP/Change Fellowship Research Grant of the Jacobson Foundation, Canada. He was also the Nigerian Principal Investigator for the Moment of Change Research Project in collaboration with the University of Bath, United Kingdom, and served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Mmabatho, South Africa. He was also a Visiting Lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA), Professor Olapegba is also a member of several professional bodies, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP), and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP).
His contributions to university administration have been remarkable. Over the years, he has served as Sub-Dean (Postgraduate), Dean of the Faculty of the Social Sciences (2018–2020), Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, Member of Senate, Member of the University Governing Council, Chairman of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, Convener of the UI GeoHackathon Season III (2022), and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). He has also served on several strategic committees, including the Appointments and Promotions Committee and the Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the University's Promotion Guidelines.
Beyond the University of Ibadan, Professor Olapegba has served as a member of the Governing Council of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, and previously served on the Governing Council of The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa. He is also a member of the Governance Board of the Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute.
A respected academic editor and assessor, Professor Olapegba serves as Editor-in-Chief of the ASUU Journal of Social Sciences, sits on the editorial boards of numerous reputable journals within and outside Africa, and has served as an External Examiner to several universities, including the University of Fort Hare (South Africa), the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), the University of Lagos, Ekiti State University and Lagos State University, among others.
Outside academia, Professor Olapegba is actively involved in public and community service. He is a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a member of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Scout Association of Nigeria. He also served as a two-term Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Branch.
Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba is a devout Christian, a family man, and one of Nigeria's foremost scholars in Social and Health Psychology whose career reflects excellence in teaching, research, leadership and public service.
Peoples Conscience had earlier reported that Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba was announced as the 14th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, following his appointment by the University's Governing Council after a rigorous, transparent and highly competitive selection process involving eight candidates. His appointment, which takes effect from 1 November 2026 upon the completion of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of Nigeria's premier university. It also reflects the confidence reposed in his proven record of academic excellence, visionary leadership, administrative competence and strong commitment to the advancement of the University of Ibadan, built over more than two decades of distinguished service.
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