In recent years, we have seen the emergence of female vice-chancellors in Nigeria, some emerging as ‘firsts’ and breaking the jinx that had hitherto been in the university.
In commemoration of International Women’s Month, we are celebrating women who are changing the status quo in society.
From the Southwest to the North and Southeast, here are seven remarkable women leading some of Nigeria’s top universities.
1. Professor Lilian Salami (UNIBEN)
Lilian Imuetinyan Salami is a Nigerian academic and professor of home economics. She is the second female vice-chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) after Grace Alele-Williams in 1985.
She holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in home economics (1979) and an M.Sc. in nutrition from North Dakota State University (1982), respectively. She bagged a Ph.D. in human nutrition in 1991. While lecturing at the University of Benin, she enrolled as a student there and earned a postgraduate diploma in education (PGDE) in 2001.
She also had her postdoctorate degree at the Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark in South Africa, which she earned in 2005.
Salami was a former dean of the faculty of education at the University of Benin before she is appointed the vice chancellor on December 2, 2019.
ALSO READ: A Brief Profile On The New UNIBEN Vice-Chancellor, Prof Lilian Salami
2. Professor Kelatapwa Farauta (Adamawa State University)
Professor Kelatapwa G. Farauta is a Nigerian professor and academic.
Born November 28, 1965, she obtained her National Certificate in Education from the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola. She bagged her first and second degrees in agricultural extension at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1989 and 1995, respectively.
She obtained her Ph.D. from the Federal University of Technology, currently known as Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology, Yola.
Farauta was formerly an honorable commissioner at the Adamawa State Ministry of Higher Education.
In 2020, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved the appointment of Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Adamawa State University, Mubi.
Until her appointment, she was the acting vice-chancellor of the institution, a position she had held since July 17, 2017.
3. Professor Florence Obi (UNICAL)
Professor Florence Obi is a Nigerian professor of education specializing in psychology and special needs education. She broke a 45-year jinx to emerge as the first female vice-chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
Born August 8, 1956, she bagged a first degree in special education at the University of Calabar. In 1990, she got her MEd in special education at the same institution. She moved to Jordanhill College, where she obtained a PGCEE in 1993. In 2002, she received her Ph.D. in the psychology of education at the University of Calabar.
Previously, the deputy vice-chancellor of the university (academic), as well as a one-time Commissioner for Women’s Affairs in Cross River State, Obi was appointed as Vice Chancellor of the institution on September 10, 2020.
ALSO READ: University Of Calabar Appoints Professor Florence Obi As First Female Vice-Chancellor
4. Professor Nnenna Oti (FUTO)
Nnenna Nnannaya Oti is a professor of soil and environmental conservation. She is the first female vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Born November 15, 1958, she holds a first-class Bachelor of Agriculture degree (B.Agric) in Soil Science from the University of Nigeria (UNN), a Master in Soil Science (Soil Biology and Biochemistry Option) from UNN, a Postgraduate Diploma in Irrigation Engineering (Distinction) from Katholic University Leuven, Belgium, and a Ph.D. in Soil and Environmental Conservation from FUTO.
Oti was elected on April 13, 2021, defeating six other candidates to win the position. Oti was formerly the immediate past deputy vice-chancellor (academics) of the institution.
ALSO READ: Prof Nnenna Oti Emerges First Female FUTO Vice Chancellor + 7 Facts To Know About Her
5. Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello (LASU)
Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello is a professor of physiology and vice-chancellor of Lagos State University.
She bagged a bachelor’s degree in physiology from the University of Ibadan in 1985 and a master’s degree in physiology from the University of Lagos in 1987. She also attended the University of Texas at San Antonio, Health Science Center, San Antonio, between 1994 and 1998.
She was a former head of the department of physiology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (2007-2008) and a deputy vice chancellor of Lagos State University (2008-2011).
Before she assumed office as the substantive 9th Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University on September 16, 2021, she also served as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (2011-2013).
ALSO READ: Wife of Lagos Commissioner, Prof (Mrs) Olatunji-Bello, Appointed New LASU VC + 8 Facts About Her
6. Professor Olanike Oladiji (FUTA)
Adenike Temidayo Oladiji is a Nigerian professor and the first female vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Born April 27, 1968, she holds a B.Sc Biochemistry, Second Class Upper Division Degree (1988), an M.Sc. in Biochemistry (1991), and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biochemistry (1997), all from the University of Ilorin.
She has served in various capacities at the University of Ilorin, including Head of Department, Sub Dean of Faculty, Deputy Director of the Center for International Education, Director of the Center for Research and Development and In-House Training, and Director of the Central Research Laboratory.
She has also served as Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences (Kwara State University). Oladiji assumed office as the first vice chancellor of FUTA on May 24, 2022.
7. Professor Folasade Ogunsola (UNILAG)
Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola is a Nigerian professor of medical microbiology and the vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos. She is the first female vice-chancellor in the school’s 60-year history.
Born in 1958, she obtained her first degree from the University of Ife and a master’s degree from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. She bagged her doctorate from the University of Wales in 1997.
Ogunsola was formerly a provost of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and is said to be the first woman to occupy the position. She was also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services) of the institution between 2017 and 2021 and was acting vice chancellor of the University of Lagos for a short period in 2020 during the university’s crisis.
Ogunsola emerged as the first female vice-chancellor of Unilag on October 7, 2022.
ALSO READ: 14 Things To Know About UNILAG’s First Female Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola