Professor Olatunde succeeds Professor Saburi A. Adesanya who until recently was the Vice Chancellor of the University. As the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olatunde will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the 35-year-old institution.
As part of his assignment, he will be responsible for providing leadership in research and academic. Until his appointment, Olatunde is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences of Osun State University, Osogbo.
He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Zoology, Second Class Upper Division from the University of Lagos, a Masters Degree in Agricultural Biology and a Doctorate Degree in Agriculture, both of the University of Ibadan. Professor Olatunde had been a Research Officer with the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute Lagos, and Research Fellow with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan before joining the services of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he was for 20 years before being appointed by the Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State.
Professor Olatunde has served in various committees of Senate and Councils of Universities. He was one time Acting Head of Department, Deputy Dean, Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Branch, Zonal Coordinator of Ibadan Zone of ASUU, Coordinator, Student Industrial Work Experience (SIWES), Director of Academic Planning, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor. Additionally, Professor Olatunde was a member of the Governing Council of two Universities at different times.
He has attended many professional training courses abroad, and also many Management and Leadership Trainings, both at home and abroad. Some of which are: Creative Leadership For Total Transformation of African Tertiary Institutions, conducted by the University of Stellenbosch Business School, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2010; Enhancing the Quality of Teaching, Research and Administration in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, conducted by Brunel Business School, Brunel University, West London, UK in 2011; Establishing and Sustaining Entrepreneurship Centres in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, conducted by the University of Wolverhampton, Midland, UK in 2012; the International Collaborations and Partnerships For Higher Education Growth and Development, conducted by Brunel University, West London, UK in 2013; and Transformational Changes In Higher Education: Positioning Your Institution For Future Success, Conducted by Harvard University, Boston, USA in 2014.
Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde is well published in reputable international and national journal outfits, with over 45 publications to his credit.