Like banking sector, female VCs lead transformation in Nigeria’s varsities: Meet the trailblazers

In a significant shift in leadership dynamics, women are making waves in Nigerian universities, mirroring their success in the banking sector. Many Nigerian universities today are headed by female vice-chancellors.

These universities cut across federal, state and private. Seeing this large number of women becoming vice chancellors at the same time appears unprecedented in Nigeria’s academic history just as it’s being currently witnessed in the banking sector.  For many of these universities too, having females at their helms of affairs is history as this is happening for the first time since their establishments.

Studies have consistently shown that women bring unique perspectives and approaches to leadership roles, and Nigerian academia is no exception.

In the banking sector, women like Tomi Somefun of Unity Bank, Dr. Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank, and Yemisi Edun of FCMB, among others, have made their mark, shattering glass ceilings and paving the way for others.

Their leadership styles, often characterised by empathy, collaboration, and inclusivity, are bringing fresh perspectives to university management.

As they continue to lead and transform the academic landscape, they are redefining what is possible and leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of leaders.

These remarkable women are making a lasting impact in their respective fields and paving the way for future generations as FTN  highlights them in no particular order. They are:

1. Prof Folasade Ogunsola – University of Lagos (UNILAG)

The University of Lagos, Akoka, appointed its first female Vice Chancellor on October 7, 2022.

Among seven candidates shortlisted for the institution’s top job, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, a Professor of Microbiology at the University’s College of Medicine, emerged as the institution’s 13th substantive Vice Chancellor to succeed Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, whose tenure elapsed in November.

Ogunsola is the first female Vice Chancellor of UNILAG since its establishment more than 60 years ago.

She was also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services) of the institution between 2017 and 2021. She was acting vice chancellor of the institution for a short period in 2020 when the university was plunged into crisis as a result of the removal of the Vice Chancellor by the University Council.

Born in 1958, Ogunsola was raised in University of Ibadan where her father, Akin Mabogunje, was a lecturer.

For her secondary education, she attended Queen’s College, Lagos, between 1974 and 1982. She has a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. She proceeded to the University of Wales, United Kingdom, between 1992 and 1997, for a doctorate in Medical Microbiology.

2. Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello – Lagos State University (LASU)

Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has held several professional and administrative positions both at UNILAG and LASU. Until her election as the First female Deputy Vice Chancellor of LASU, she was the First substantive Head of the Department of Physiology, LASUCOM. Other University managerial positions held by Professor Olatunji-Bello include:

Acting Vice Chancellor (July –December 21, 2010, January 30 – October 31st, 2011).

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Dec 2008 to December 2010)

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), LASU (November 2011- January 2013

Head, Department of Physiology, LASUCOM (October 2007 to December 2008)

Pioneering Director of LASU Directorate of Advancement

She is a member of many professional bodies and she was the first female Second Vice President, Physiological Society of Nigeria, and  the First Vice President, also first female to hold that position up to year 2019..

Prof Olatunji-Bello was Government representative on the Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council, 2004 to October 2008 and currently a Senate Representative on the Governing Council of Lagos State University.

 

Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has graduated 4Ph.Ds and 37 MSc candidates, while still supervising more PhD students. This distinguished scientist is known for her very brilliant academic work and she has over 55 publications to her credit; excluding papers she has read at both local and international conferences. She has served as Chairman Organizing Committee of an International Conference of the International Union of Physiological Sciences and Association of African Physiological Societies in 2016. She has also contributed chapters in some textbooks and e-learning materials.

 

3. Prof Kaletapwa Farauta – Adamawa State University, Mubi. 

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved the appointment of Prof Kaletapwa Farauta as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Adamawa State University Mubi in 2020.

Until her appointment, she was the acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution. She had contested for the position alongside 25 others, out of which three top contenders emerged.

A seasoned academician, born November 28, 1965, in Numan, Adamawa State, Farauta had her elementary education at Numan II Primary School, Adamawa, from 1973 to 1979. She later attended Federal Government Girls College, Yola, also in Adamawa, from 1979 to 1983.

Before her VC appointment, Farauta had held some key leadership positions. She was the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board from July to October 2014

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She also served as the Commissioner of Education in Adamawa State from August 2015 to July 2017. From there, she was appointed the acting vice-chancellor of ADSU by the Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Muhammad Jibrilla, on July 17, 2017.

Farauta has also rendered a lot of developmental services in various capacities. She has often spoken about her passion for adding value to humanity through hard work and sincerity.

 

4. Prof Florence Obi – University of Calabar (UNICAL)

 

Prof Florence Obi is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

A professor of special education, she is the 11th substantive VC of the institution, and UNICAL’s first female vice-chancellor. Before her appointment, she was the deputy VC of the university (academic), as well as a one-time Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State.

A PhD degree holder in the Psychology of Education from the University of Calabar, Obi began her academic career as an assistant lecturer at the Institute of Education, University of Calabar in 1990.

Obi had her elementary education at St Bridget’s Primary School, Ogep Osokom, Boki, Cross River State. She also attended St Thomas’s Teachers Training College, Ogoja, Cross River State, and graduated in 1983. She later obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Calabar. In 1990, and she bagged a Master of Education degree in Special Education from the same institution.

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She obtained her PhD in the Psychology of Education from the UNICAL in 2002.

In 2020, she beat 12 candidates to become the first female vice chancellor of the institution, succeeding Prof Zana Akpagu.

5. Prof Nnenna Oti – Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)

Nnenna Oti is a professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation. She emerged as the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, beating six other candidates for the position.

Oti also has a postgraduate diploma in Irrigation Engineering from the Catholic University, Leuven, in Belgium.

She has spent over 34 years in academics, teaching research and administration within and outside Nigeria.

Before emerging as the first female vice-chancellor of FUTO, she was a three-time head of the school’s Department of Soil Science and Technology. She also chaired the Gender Policy Unit of the institution, and was the dean of its post-graduate school.

She succeeded Prof Francis Eze, whose tenure expired in June 2021. The university don beat her closest rival Prof Ikechukwu Dozie who scored 69.7 per cent to the seat, having scored 75.5 per cent, in a race contested by six candidates.

 

6. Prof Lilian Salami – University of Benin (UNIBEN)

Prof Lillian Salami is the second female vice-chancellor of the University of Benin, Edo State. Prof Grace Alele-Williams became the first female VC of the institution in 1985.

Salami is also a fellow of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and the International Federation of Home Economics/Home Professionals Association of Nigeria.

Born in Jos, Salami who hails from Edo State, started her education in Jos, but due to the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970, she had to move to Edo State for her secondary education. She attended Baptist High School, Benin City.

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She then proceeded to the United States of America and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics, and a Master’s degree in Nutrition at the North Dakota State University in 1979 and 1982 respectively, before returning home to serve her fatherland in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme, in Benin City.

Salami was appointed as Vice-Chancellor in 2019, after holding several administrative positions, which include being Head of the Department from 1996 to 1998 at the University of Benin; Chairman of the Board of the University of Benin Integrated Enterprise, Director of General Studies, director of a part-time programme; and Director General of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, Ondo State.

7.Prof. Adenike Oladiji – Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)

Professor (Mrs) Adenike Temidayo Oladiji is the eighth substantive vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure.

She holds a B.Sc Biochemistry, Second Class Upper Division degree from the University of Ilorin, 1988; MSc. Biochemistry, University of Ilorin, 1991 and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, 1997.

She joined the services of the University of Ilorin in July 1992 as Assistant Lecturer and was appointed a Professor in September 2011.

8. Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye – Lagos State University of Education ( LASUED)

Prof Lafiaji-Okuneye, a professor of Health Education, is the Ag. Vice –Chancellor Lagos State University of Education.

She was born on February 2, 1972, on Lagos Island, Lagos State.

She obtained Doctor of Philosophy (Health Education) from University of Ibadan (2005), Master of Education (Health Education), University of Lagos (1999), Bachelor of Science (PHE), Lagos State University (1995) and Diploma in Physical and Health Education from Lagos State University (1991).

Lafiaji-Okuneye joined the service of Lagos State University as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education. She was later appointed the Provost, Adeniran Ogusanya College of Education, Ijanikin until her appointment as the Ag. Vice –Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education Oto/Ijanikin.

9.Prof. Stella Chinye Chiemeke – University of Delta, Agbor

Prof. Stella Chiemeke began her academic voyage in Lagos State, Nigeria where she obtained her Primary School Certificate from Lagos Progressive Primary School, Surulere Lagos State.

Soon after, she proceeded to the renowned Anglican Girls Grammar School, Surulere Lagos State for her Secondary Education.

Prof. Chiemeke holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from University of Lagos and a Master of Science Degree in Computer Science from the same University. She obtained her PhD in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure in 2004.

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11. Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde -Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti

Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde is a Professor of Law and Acting Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. She is a law teacher, a scholar and researcher, university administrator and Legal Practitioner for over 37 years.

12.Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman- Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Alhaji Sule, recently approved the appointment of Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman as the fifth Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University Keffi, making her the first female to hold the position.

According to a statement released by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, the appointment follows extensive consultations and consideration of the report of the Governing Council.

Professor Liman’s appointment took effect from Monday, April 15, 2024, marking a historic milestone for the institution and a significant achievement for women in academia.

The appointment is seen as a testament to Professor Liman’s exceptional leadership qualities, academic excellence, and dedication to the advancement of education in the state.

 

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13. Professor Enase Okonedo- Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria

Professor Enase Okonedo, FCA, is the Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria. Prior to this, she was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University from 2020 – 2021. She was the Dean of Lagos Business School (LBS) from July 2009 until December 2020. Before her appointment as dean, she held various leadership positions and was a full-time faculty member at the School, teaching courses in Corporate Finance as well as Problem-Solving and Decision-Making.

As Dean, she was instrumental in transforming Lagos Business School to a globally recognised and a foremost business school in Africa gaining global accreditations and rankings.

A seasoned educator who has paved the way for women in leadership in various sectors, she is recognised internationally and serves on boards in the management education sector including the boards of Global Business School Network (GBSN); United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (UNPRME); and the Academic Advisory Board of Blatnavik School of Government, University of Oxford.  She has also served on the board of Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC, owners of the GMAT exam) and held leadership positions on the boards of AACSB International as Secretary-Treasurer, and the Association of African Business Schools where she was Chairperson.