On Jan. 12, Johnson O. Akinleye, the 12th chancellor of North Carolina Central University, announced his plan to retire after this year. He will leave office at the finale of the 2023-24 school year on June 30, 2024.

Akinleye has been with North Carolina Central since 2014. He joined as the provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs. A couple years later, the university appointed him the acting chancellor in August 2016 and later the interim chancellor in December that year. Akinleye officially became the 12th chancellor of North Carolina Central in June 2017.

“I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this esteemed university through a period of growth and innovation, a period when the institution was primed for transformative change,” Akinleye said. “I am immensely proud an truly gratified to have worked with very talented executive staff, a supportive Board of Trustees, a dedicated faculty and staff and thousands of caring and dedicated alumni across the nation and worldwide during the past eight-plus years.”

Under Akinleye's leadership, North Carolina Central thrived. NCCU led all North Carolina System institutions with a 5.5% enrollment growth in 2023. The university generated $16.4 million in fundraising in 2023, and have raised $227 million since 2017 for student success and research funding. The Eagles are also coming off a Celebration Bowl victory in 2022 and nearly won the MEAC again in 2023.

“Chancellor Akinleye has served North Carolina Central University tirelessly since 2014, taking on the role of chancellor in 2016 and working to uphold the proud history of one of our nation's finest HBCUs,” said Peter Hans, the University of North Carolina System President. “During his nearly eight years as chancellor, Dr. Akinleye has helped the university increase its academic offerings, enrollment, researching funding and capital infrastructure. The chancellor also helped to elevate the university's national presence, prioritizing access, affordability, and student success. We are grateful for Dr. Akinleye's service and leadership.”