The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Ogunsola, has called on women in leadership positions to demonstrate courage, fairness, and competence, stressing that leadership demands strength of character and a clear sense of purpose rather than gender consideration.
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Lagos, the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, the first woman to hold the position in the university’s 60-year history advised women to be firm and unafraid to take difficult decisions when the need arises. According to her, effective leadership requires courage, empathy, transparency, and service to humanity.
“Leadership is about service. It means facing situations with an open mind and a willingness to make hard choices when necessary,” she said.
She added: “Courage, competence, fairness, empathy, and transparency distinguish true leaders from others.”
Ogunsola emphasised that women should be inclusive and pragmatic in leadership, adding that bending rules to please others or pursuing private interests could have grave consequences. She urged women in positions of authority to stick to established principles, insisting that integrity must never be compromised for convenience.
“It is often misconstrued that as a female, I need help or that when there is bad news, I should be shielded,” she said. “If you allow that, you may be making a grievous mistake because there is no gender in this job. If there is any issue, we deal with it. If I need help, I ask. You cannot be shielded from information about your environment or the reality on ground. It is better you know what you are dealing with.”
The Vice Chancellor noted that her two and a half years in office had been defined by fairness and self-accountability. “In all ramifications, I have been true to myself,” she said. “I believe that after two and a half years in office, most persons have come to realise that I am trying to be fair and that there is nothing personal.”
Ogunsola admitted that leadership in a public institution comes with immense pressure but maintained that the role must be handled with discipline and awareness of ethical boundaries. “We keep saying that our leaders don’t do enough,” she observed, “but we also need to consider the pressure that comes from outside and the need not to push the boundaries. You cannot be too rigid, but you must be very conscious of lines you should not cross.”
She added that competence should always be the yardstick for appointments and promotions within institutions, explaining that transparency in recruitment processes builds trust and promotes excellence.
“I put out criteria that are open to all,” she said. “Whenever there is an opportunity for anything, anyone can get it so long as he or she meets the criteria. It is not hinged on you knowing the vice chancellor. When carrying out interviews, I may not know you, but if you fit into those criteria, I contact you, because I always want the right persons in the right positions.”
Reflecting on her journey, Professor Ogunsola explained that she never set out to become a vice chancellor but was motivated by a commitment to make meaningful contributions to the university community. “I am a typical woman,” she said. “I look around and ask: How many women have positioned themselves to be vice chancellor? Many of them are very capable but are not looking in that direction.”
She urged more women to step forward and embrace leadership opportunities rather than assuming that such positions are out of reach. “Women make valuable contributions to societal advancement,” she noted. “We must not shy away from leadership. Every position of responsibility is an opportunity to influence change and build a better system.”
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Her remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s higher education sector continues to grapple with calls for inclusive governance and merit-based appointments. Education stakeholders have described Ogunsola’s leadership style as a model for institutional ethics, particularly in a system often criticised for favouritism and lack of accountability.
Observers also point to her emphasis on open communication and fairness as vital lessons for university management across the country. By advocating for transparency and rule-based decision-making, Ogunsola reinforces the principle that educational leadership must be rooted in justice and service rather than personal or political interests.
Under her administration, UNILAG has focused on improving research capacity, digital transformation, and administrative efficiency. Her leadership reflects a broader commitment to building a university that values excellence, merit, and integrity — principles she believes are essential for restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s educational institutions.
As she continues to serve in one of Nigeria’s most prominent academic roles, Professor Ogunsola’s message resonates beyond the university environment. Her call for courageous, ethical, and inclusive leadership challenges both women and men to view leadership not as privilege, but as a responsibility to serve humanity and strengthen the institutions they lead.
