PBA ReporterDespite the clamour for equitable gender representation in Nigeria and public offices, a look at history of administration in higher educational institutions shows that the women folk are not yet in high numbers like the menfolk in terms of office of Vice Chancellor of universities.
Checks by Prime Business Africa revealed that, in the last six years, there are only 15 of them. A few of these Amazons, however, have served out their tenures in office.
Below are the VCs and their brief bios:
Professor Enase Okonedo – Pan Atlantic University (PAU)
Professor Enase Felicia Okonedo was appointed Vice-chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University Nigeria in November 2021. She assumed office on January 1, 2022.
Professor Okonedo, before her appointment, was the Deputy Vice-chancellor of the University. She is also a former dean of the Lagos Business School (LBS), and Graduate Business School of PAU.
READ ALSO: 5 Top Female Managers Who Make UNILAG Nigeria’s Most gender-friendly University
Okonedo has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Benin, an MBA from the IESE Business School in Barcelona, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from the International School of Management (ISM) in Paris.
She is a Professor of Management and an accomplished professional with over 30 years experience in the financial services and management education sectors.
Kaletapwa G. Farauta — Adamawa State University
Professor Kaletapwa Farauta is the Vice Chancellor Adamawa State University, Mubi.
Born on 28 November 1965, Farauta hails from Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
She has been the Vice Chancellor of ADSU since February 2020.
Prior to that, she had been a lecturer at the Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola.
She had also served as Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), Nigeria and then as Commissioner for Education.
In June this year, Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri picked her as his running mate for the 2023 governorship election.
Prof. Ibiyinka Fuwape — Michael and Cecilia Ibru University
Ibiyinka Fuwape is the 2nd substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, a private university in Delta State, Nigeria.
Born on 18 December 1962, Fuwape is a Professor of Physics. She obtained Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Ibadan with a first class honor in 1984 and earned her Master of Science degree and Ph.D in theoretical physics in 1986 and 1989 respectively from the same university.
Prof. Adenike Kuku – Kings University, Ode-Omu, Osun
Professor (Mrs) Adenike Kuku, became the substantive Vice Chancellor of Kings University Ode-Omu, Osun State in January 2021.
Born on 13th July, 1965, Kuku, a Professor of Biochemistry (Protein Science and Engineering) at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, hails from Osun State, Nigeria.
Prof. Elisabeta Olarinde — Afe Babalola University
Prof. Elisabeta Olarinde is the incumbent Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, a position she got in 2015.
Prof. Olarinde, the mother of Daddy Freeze of Cool FM, is the president, Nigerian Association of Law Teachers and has served as legal consultant for many organisations including UNICEF.
She has over three decades of experience as academic, researcher and legal practitioner.
Prof. Fatima Mukhtar, former VC Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State (2016 – 2021)
Born on 23 May 1963 in Kano, Fatima Batul Mukhtar obtained her first degree in Botany from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 1984.
She also obtained second and third degree from Bayero University in 1994 and 2005 respectively.
Fatima is a Professor of Botany with research interest in “growth regulation, biostatistics, biotechnology and plant conservation.”
She served as Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State between 2016 and 2021.
Prior to her achieving that feat, Prof. Fatima had worked at Bayero University Kano where she started her career in 1994 as an Assistant Lecturer. She rose through the ranks to become a Professor of Botany in 2010.
Prof. Fatima became the first female and the second Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Dutse, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 14 February 2016 and succeeded by Professor Amina Salihi Bayero in 2021.
Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola – V.C. Chrisland University, Abeokuta
Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola is the incumbent Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, a private University in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
She is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacokinetics. She is the first female Professor of Pharmacy in the University of Ibadan.
Chinedum got a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy in 1983, Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1987 and 10 years after in 1997, she bagged Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Pharmacokinetics option) from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
She started her career as a Graduate Assistant in the OAU in 1985. In 1994 she was promoted to Lecturer I in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry of OAU, and later proceeded to University of Ibadan where she rose to the rank of a Senior Lecturer, becoming a Professor in 2006.
Prior to her appointment as the Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Babalola served as the first female Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy University of Ibadan (2013-2017), and as an adjunct Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Prof. Angela Miri – VC Federal University Lokoja
Born on 22 August 1959, Angela Freeman Miri, a Professor of English, was appointed Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja in 2017.
Prof. Miri had her Ph.D in English, with specialization in African and English Literatures, Gender Studies and Creative Writing from the University of Jos.
Prior to her appointment as VC of Uni Lokoja, Prof. Miri had between 2007 and 2011, served as Commissioner for Health and Education respectively in Plateau State.
Prof. Folasade Ogunmola – V.C. UNILAG
Born in 1958, Folasade Ogunmola is a Professor of Medical Microbiology. She is the first female Vice Chancellor-elect of the University of Lagos. Prior to the elevation, Prof. Ogunsola, had been the acting VC for which she was elected on 24 August 2020, by the university’s senate.
She had also been the Provost of College of Medicine, University of Lagos and is reckoned with being the first woman to occupy the position.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Prof Folasade Ogunsola Becomes UNILAG’s First Female VC
She was also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services) of the institution between 2017 and 2021.
Her academic record shows that she got her Bachelor degree from the OAU and Masters from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, all between 1974 and 1982. She bagged Ph.D from University of Wales in 1997.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Prof Folasade Ogunsola Becomes UNILAG’s First Female VC
Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello- V.C. LASU
Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello was appointed as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University on 16 September 2021.
Prior to the appointment, she had served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor of LASU in 2008 and acting VC of the same institution before becoming the the 9th substantive VC.
Born on 23 April 1964 in Ologbowo community Idumota, Lagos Island, Olatunji-Bello attended Lagos State College of Science and Technology, University of Ibadan where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology in 1985. She subsequently got her Masters degree in Physiology from the University of Lagos in 1987 and eventually became a Professor of Physiology at the Lagos State University College of Medicine in 2007, where she earlier started her career in academics as an Assistant Lecturer.
Prof. Lillian Salami – VC UNIBEN
Professor Lilian Salami is the incumbent Vice Chancellor, University of Benin. She was born on the 8th of August 1956 in Obadan Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
Prof. Salami is the second female Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN after Grace Alele-Williams in 1985.
She was Director-general of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Ondo State, and a former dean, Faculty of Education at the University of Benin.
Salami is a Professor of Home Economics/Nutritional Education. She obtained Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Masters in Nutrition at North Dakota State University in 1979 and 1982 respectively.
Returning to Nigeria and completing her National Youth Service, Salami proceeded to the University of Nigeria in 1988 where she bagged Ph.D. in Human Nutrition in 1991.
Prof. Florence Obi – VC UNICAL
Professor Florence Obi is the 11th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and the first female Vice Chancellor since the institution came into existence.
She was previously the deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics and Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State.
Prof. Obi who hails from Bansan–Osokom, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, got her first degree in 1983 and Masters in 1990 all in Special Education from the University of Calabar. She obtained Ph.D. in Psychology of Education in 2002 from the University of Calabar.
Obi started her academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the Institute of Education, UNICAL in 1990.
Prof. Nnenna Oti – V.C. FUTO
Prof. Nnenna Oti is the current Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).
Born on 15 November 1958, in Afikpo North, Ebonyi State, Oti attended University of Nigeria where she earned first class Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture (Soil Science).
She is a Professor of Soil Science and Environmental Conservation and has served as a consultant to various government agencies in Nigeria.
She became the first female Vice Chancellor of the institution following her election on 13 April and assumption of office on 19 June 2021. She is also the immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics of the institution.
Prof. Adenike Temidayo Oladiji – V.C. FUTA
Prof. Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, born 27 April 1968 in Kwara State, is a Nigerian academic and the first female Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA). She assumed the position of FUTA VC on 24 May 2022.
Oladiji obtained Bachelor’s degree, in 1988, Masters, 1992 and Ph.D. in 1997 all in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin.
She began her career as an Assistant Lecturer in University of Ilorin in July 1992 and was appointed a Professor in September 2011.
With three decades of service in the university system, Prof. Oladiji has held various positions including chairman and member of various university committees, Head Of Department, Dean of Faculty, and director of various centres in the institution.
Prof. Victoria Adaobi Obasi former VC IMSU
Prof. Victoria Adaobi Obasi was appointed the Vice chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU) in November 2016 and finished her tenure in March 2022.
She was succeeded by Professor Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze.
Prof. Obasi was Commissioner for Education in Imo State between 2011 and 2013.
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