Nurture, maximize subordinates' potentials – Ogunsola tells management staff

By Victor Chijioke

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, has called on management staff to nurture and maximise the potential of subordinates under their leadership.

She made this call on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at the opening ceremony of the 2-day training for Deans, designated Directors, Deputy Registrars and Heads of Department organized by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research) in collaboration with the Staff Training and Development Centre (STDC) of the university.

At the event, Professor Ogunsola restated her belief that UNILAG can be made future-ready and noted that the university has a great opportunity for advancement towards the future in the yet-to-be-harnessed ideas and potentials of its staff.

She explained that her vision for building a Future Ready UNILAG is built on four pillars: finances, infrastructure, the university’s reputation, and manpower development.

She urged leaders at all levels of the University’s administration to embody the realities of their roles as part of the university management as they discharge their duties.

The VC informed those present that, by being leaders at these different levels, Deans, designated Directors, Deputy Registrars and Heads of Department are involved in developing the aforementioned four pillars at the unit, departmental, faculty, institute and centre levels, while it is the responsibility of the university’s principal officers to manage the suggestions or requests brought up from all lower levels of management.

She therefore enjoined participants at the training to deepen their study and understanding of the published Regulations Governing the Conditions of Service of Staff in the University of Lagos, so as to better discharge their duties as the arms of management closest to other members of the university community, such as subordinate staff, students and other stakeholders.

Professor Ogunsola expressed her hope that at the end of the training, participants would find ways to effectively manage the university’s finances; fully optimise the opportunities available to members of the university community; improve the university’s research quality so as to to revive the relevance of Nigerian academia; and imbibe the practice of setting goals that align holistically with the goals of the university.

Also at the event, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Bolanle Oboh, indicated the university management’s readiness to make such training more frequent so as to ensure that all arms of the university work ceaselessly in tandem.

She implored participants to make the best of the training and join hands in building a future-ready UNILAG.

On her part, Professor Ayodele V. Atsenuwa, UNILAG Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development Services and professor of public law, clarified several aspects of the University of Lagos Act to help participants at the training develop a better understanding of their appointed positions.

She stressed the need for participants, as leaders in their various positions, to act as problem solvers and leave behind the practice of merely pointing out problems to be solved.