UNILAG VC Bags Guardian’s Wonder Woman Award

By Vanessa Foubri, Doreen Austins

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, received The Guardian Newspapers’ Wonder Woman Award in recognition of her giant contributions in the education sector.

The awards presentation ceremony, held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Rutam House along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.

Professor Ogunsola was one of seven distinguished women from various fields honoured for the 2025 Wonder Women Awards (WWA), having received the highest number of votes in the Business of Academia and Learning category.

Professor Ogunsola described the award as a celebration of hard work and milestones recorded by women. She said, “This gesture marks an acknowledgement of the ongoing developmental strides in UNILAG, despite the prevalent economy, a development which guarantees the attainment of the Future-Ready UNILAG, thereby making us a beacon of hope for a better future for tertiary education in Nigeria.”

She further described her victory as not just gratifying but also a clarion call to do more, especially in shattering the glass ceilings, conquering barriers and providing leadership at various levels.

According to the Initiator and Co-creator of Guardian Women Festival, Anita Athena Ibru, the award was created as a platform to showcase and celebrate women making giant strides in their respective endeavours. The Guardian Women Festival and Wonder Women Awards aim to showcase milestones of women despite all odds while also fostering a stronger synergy across the women’s community.

Other winners of the 2025 Wonder Women Awards include Isabella Adediji (The Business Culture), Blessing Oyeleye Adesiyan (The Business of Care and Wellness), Oluseye Alayande (The Business of Finance and Investment category), Aisha Mumuni (The Business of Technology), Oluwatoyin Maiden (The Business of Public Service), and Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich (The Business of Philanthropy)