The Governing Council of Caleb University has approved the appointment of a globally acclaimed scholar, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, as the institution’s new Vice-Chancellor.
He succeeds Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie, who completed his term as the University’s Vice-Chancellor in February.
In a statement issued by the institution’s Information, Media and Publication Specialist, Olawale Adekoya, the Council expressed profound confidence in Prof. Asikhia’s capacity to elevate the university to unprecedented heights of scholarly preeminence and institutional prestige.
He is the University’s fifth Vice-Chancellor since its establishment in 2008.
The statement read: “A professor of Business Administration of international repute, distinguished academic, researcher, institutional leader, management consultant, and entrepreneur whose impressive career spans over 30 years, Prof. Asikhia brings to the helm of affairs a luminous pedigree of scholarly excellence, visionary leadership, and an unblemished record of service to the academy.
“The appointment of Prof. Asikhia, a global strategist acclaimed and renowned for his encyclopedic intellect, administrative acumen, and transformative scholarship, indeed ushers a new epoch of intellectual refinement and progressive governance in the annals of the Imota Lagos-based Citadel.
“His visionary leadership at Caleb University commenced in 2021 when he assumed the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, Strategy, and Administration), where his transformational leadership has birthed key achievements including successful strategic planning and institutional transformation, designing and implementing the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan, achieving 71.2% success by 2024 and elevating Caleb University’s national ranking from 66th to 18th, with a 57% increase in institutional visibility.
“A multiple grant award-winning researcher, a born leader, serial winner and a child of fate, the Professor of Business Administration has won the SME and Poverty Alleviation grant of the University of South Africa twice (2014 and 2015), funded to the tune of $100,000, thus influencing national and international policies.

“Globally, his efforts have positioned Caleb University on the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, even as the AD Scientific Author Index ranked him among Nigeria’s top 3% researchers in Business Administration, top 5.6% in Africa, and top 23.6% in the world.
“Over the decades, Prof. Asikhia has distinguished himself as a paragon of academic integrity and pedagogical innovation. His groundbreaking research in strategic management and organisational development has not only enriched the frontiers of knowledge but also informed policies and practices within corporate and academic spheres alike.
His contributions have revolutionised the fields of business management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and social policy, making him a prominent figure in academia and beyond. Renowned for his innovative strategies, ethical research practices, and leadership acumen, Prof. Asikhia has left an indelible mark on institutions, students, and communities across Africa and the world.
Prof. Olalekan Asikhia’s academic journey undoubtedly exemplifies an unwavering commitment to learning and excellence. Beginning with his higher education at the University of Benin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry (Biostatistics) in 1987, his passion for multidisciplinary learning led him to pursue several postgraduate programs, including a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics (Manpower Development) at the University of Lagos, a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Development Economics, University of Lagos (1995), and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Ogun State University (1998).
“Driven by a thirst for advanced knowledge, Prof. Asikhia achieved dual doctoral degrees: a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Management (Entrepreneurial and Strategic Management) from the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, (2020) and a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) in Strategy and Marketing from the University of South Africa (2006).”