Indeed, women have shown they are great leaders, bringing their experience and unique perspectives to leadership roles.
Women are constantly evolving and reaching new milestones across a wide spectrum of human activities. This can be traced down to their flexibility and empathy. They are also good builders, listeners, communicators, and emotionally intelligent.
In academics, some women who have been entrusted with leading roles to manage human and material resources have often proved that, given adequate backing, they can perform creditably.
In this piece, BNN details some Nigerian amazons making invaluable contributions to the world of academics as female vice chancellors.
Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi is the acting vice chancellor of the University of Abuja.
The 41-year-old renowned professor of International law was appointed after Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah completed his tenure as the 6th vice chancellor of the institution.
She was the first female and youngest deputy dean of the Faculty of Law and the pioneer director at UniAbuja in 2018.
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola – UNILAG
It is interesting to note that Professor Folasade Ogunsola is the 13th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The professor of clinical microbiology is the first female vice chancellor in the school’s 60-year history.
Ogunsola, the daughter of the late eminent geographer, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, has served the university in various capacities.
She has served as the Provost of the College of Medicine in Idi Araba, Lagos and as a deputy vice chancellor to Ogundipe.
Professor Lilian Salami – UNIBEN
Professor Lilian Salami is the 10th substantive vice-chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo state. She was born in Jos, Plateau state, on August 8, 1956.
A home economist and former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Salami was appointed the second female vice chancellor of the institution following the tenure expiration of Grace Alele Williams, who was also the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria.
Professor Florence Obi – UNICAL
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) appointed Professor Florence Obi as its 11th vice chancellor. She is the first female to head the institution in 45 years.
Obi, a Professor of Special Needs Education at the university, was appointed the VC of the institution on September 10, 2020, replacing Professor Zana Akpagu, whose tenure elapsed on November 30, 2020.
Professor Nnenna Oti – FUTO
Nnenna Oti, a professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation, emerged as the vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), defeating six other candidates to clinch the position.
She is the first female and eighth substantive vice chancellor of the 41-year-old university. She was formerly the deputy vice chancellor (Academics).
Professor Ibiyemi Bello – LASU
Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, a Professor of Physiology, is the ninth VC of Lagos State University (LASU).
She is the second female VC to occupy the exalted post in the Lagos State-owned tertiary institution.
The 57-year-old academic, who was born on April 23, 1964, in Lagos, is the wife of the Lagos state ex-commissioner for environment and water resources, Tunji Bello.
Professor Kaletapwa Farauta – ADSU
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state approved the appointment of Professor Kaletapwa Farauta as the substantive VC of the Adamawa State University Mubi in 2020.
Until her appointment, she was the acting vice chancellor of the institution.
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.
