Augustine University, a fast-growing faith-based institution located in Ilara-Epe, Lagos, has officially announced the appointment of Rev. Fr. Professor Anthony Alaba Akinwale, OP, as its third substantive Vice-Chancellor.
EpeInsights gathered that the appointment will take effect from September 1, 2025, following the end of the tenure of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Odetunde.
The announcement was made public by Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor, Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees. According to the Board, Fr. Akinwale’s elevation marks a new chapter in the institution’s academic and spiritual journey.
A Dominican priest and an esteemed theologian, Rev. Fr. Akinwale is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars in Systematic Theology and Thomistic Philosophy.
He previously served as the founding Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan (2017–2022) and has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Augustine University since 2023.
In a statement, the Board described the appointment as a strategic step toward deepening the university’s commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and holistic education grounded in Catholic values.
“Fr. Akinwale brings a unique combination of intellectual depth, administrative experience, and pastoral presence. His appointment aligns perfectly with Augustine University’s mission of nurturing morally upright and intellectually sound leaders,” the statement read.
The Board also extended its appreciation to Prof. Christopher Odetunde for his exemplary leadership over the past years, crediting him with laying a strong foundation for institutional growth and academic innovation.
As Fr. Akinwale prepares to assume office, the university community and stakeholders have expressed optimism about his vision for expanding Augustine University’s influence in Nigeria’s higher education landscape.
His appointment reinforces the institution’s ongoing transformation into a centre of academic excellence and moral development rooted in Catholic tradition.
