‘Pursue Leadership Roles’ — Prof. Ogunsola To Women Academics

By Chinonso Ekechi

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, has urged women in Nigerian academia to rise from their passive roles and aspire to leadership positions. She made this call during the inaugural Women’s Leadership Conference held at the University of Benin on Monday, August 19, 2024.

In her presentation titled “Finding Your Spark, Breaking Your Boundaries,” Professor Ogunsola delivered a powerful address on leadership and self-advocacy to a large gathering of aspiring female leaders. She emphasized the importance of women stepping into leadership roles, regardless of their current positions. “Leadership is a choice, not a position,” she stated, urging women to seize opportunities and take on leadership challenges.

Professor Ogunsola identified four key leadership styles—autocratic, democratic, delegative, and transformational—and stressed the significance of adaptability through situational Leadership. “Great leaders can adapt their style to fit the current situation,” she noted, highlighting the importance of flexibility in leadership.

The Vice-Chancellor also addressed the cultural, religious, and institutional barriers that women often face in academic leadership. She shared personal stories from her own journey to becoming Vice-Chancellor, discussing how she overcame self-doubt and external scepticism. “We all start at different points,” she remarked, “Know yourself and start where you are. It’s okay to be different.”

Professor Ogunsola’s presentation delved into the concept of mindset, particularly the ‘Growth Mindset,’ as a tool for overcoming obstacles. She offered practical strategies for developing this mindset, including embracing challenges and learning from criticism. Her call to action, “Be scared! Do it anyway!” resonated deeply with attendees, encapsulating her message of courage and perseverance.

The conference, which attracted participants from various institutions across Nigeria, underscored the need for increased representation of women in senior academic positions. Recent statistics shared at the event revealed that as of 2024, only 10.6% of university Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria are women, emphasizing the relevance of Professor Ogunsola’s message.