The appointment of Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as the 14th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), effective November 1, 2026, is deserving of congratulations. I wish him a successful tenure as he assumes the responsibility of leading Nigeria’s premier university.
The reported competitive process through which he emerged following the assessment of eight candidates and the shortlisting of five finalists is commendable, provided it was conducted transparently and strictly on the basis of merit.
However, this development also raises an important question that deserves honest, constructive, and national reflection: When will a qualified Muslim have the opportunity to emerge as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan?
This question is not directed against Professor Olapegba or his Christian faith. If he emerged as the best candidate through a fair and transparent process, he deserves the support and goodwill of all Nigerians. The real issue is whether qualified Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliation, have equal opportunities to compete for the highest leadership positions in our national institutions.
The same question extends to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where a change of leadership is expected in the coming months. This presents an opportunity for stakeholders to begin constructive conversations about the appointment of the next Chief Medical Director (CMD).
Qualified and competent Muslim professionals should be encouraged and given a fair opportunity to compete for the position. If the most qualified candidate happens to be a Muslim, there should be no hesitation in making that appointment. Likewise, if the best candidate is a Christian or belongs to another faith, the same principle of merit should prevail.
This is not a call for religious quota or preferential treatment. It is a call for a genuinely level playing field.
A Muslim should not be appointed simply because he is a Muslim, just as a Christian should not be appointed simply because he is a Christian. Leadership should be determined by competence, integrity, experience, vision, and the capacity to deliver.
Yet merit can only be meaningful when every qualified candidate has a genuine and equal opportunity to compete, free from conscious or unconscious bias.
The University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital are national institutions that belong to all Nigerians. Their leadership should therefore reflect the constitutional values of fairness, inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and justice.
As Professor Olapegba prepares to assume office, I congratulate him once again and wish him every success. At the same time, this is an appropriate moment to reflect on whether our leadership selection processes truly provide equal opportunities for all qualified Nigerians.
As the succession process at UCH draws nearer, I urge all stakeholders to ensure that no qualified candidate is excluded directly or indirectly because of religious identity. Let the process be transparent, competitive, and firmly anchored on merit.
I am not asking for a Muslim to be appointed because he is a Muslim. I am asking that no qualified Nigerian should be denied the opportunity to lead because of his or her religious identity.
That principle should apply equally to every Nigerian, irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or background.
Let merit prevail. Let competence prevail. Let fairness prevail.
