List of 7 Nigerian universities with female vice chancellors

In this post, News360 Nigeria enumerates Nigerian universities with female vice chancellors.

Women are continually changing and accomplishing new goals in a variety of human endeavors, they have proven to be excellent leaders over time.

Research and practical experience have demonstrated that women offer distinct viewpoints to leadership positions, they are adaptable and compassionate.

They are also skilled communicators, listeners, builders, and emotionally intelligent.

Within the academic realm, certain women who have been entrusted with
More frequently, leading positions in the management of material and human resources demonstrated that they can perform when given sufficient support.

Historically, men have held the role of vice chancellor, but in recent times, there has been a shift in this.

Women have taken on the challenge as the education sector undergoes tremendous growth and change, showcasing their academic excellence and outstanding leadership abilities.

Here is a list of some Nigerian universities and their female leaders as of 2024.

1. UNIABUJA: Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi

The University of Abuja’s current chancellor is Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi.

The esteemed 41-year-old professor of international law was appointed subsequent to the conclusion of Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah’s term as the institution’s sixth vice chancellor.

In 2018, she became the first female deputy dean of the Faculty of Law and the youngest director of UniAbuja.

She is a native of Katsina State, born in Zaria, on the 31st January 1983 and happily married with children.

She received her WASSCE from Queens College, Lagos, her LLB degree from the University of Reading, UK, the LLM from the London School of Economics, UK, BL from the Nigeria Law School, Abuja and Ph.D from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

2. UNILAG: Prof. Folasade Ogunsola

It is noteworthy that University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola is the 13th in office.

Throughout the school’s 60-year history, the clinical microbiology professor is the first female vice chancellor.

She attended Queen’s College in Lagos for her secondary education from 1974 to 1982. She graduated from the University of Lagos’ College of Medicine with a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology.

She proceeded to the University of Wales, United Kingdom, between 1992 and 1997, for a doctorate in Medical Microbiology.

Ogunsola has worked for the university in a number of capacities.
From 2017 to 2021, she served as the institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Development Services.

In 2020, she served as the institution’s temporary acting vice chancellor during a crisis caused by the University Council’s dismissal of the vice chancellor.

She is the daughter of the late, distinguished geographer Prof. Akin Mabogunje.

3. FUTO: Prof. Nnenna Oti

After edging out six other contenders, Nnenna Oti, a professor of soil science and environmental conservation, was named vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Oti also has a postgraduate diploma in Irrigation Engineering from the Catholic University, Leuven, in Belgium.

She has spent over 34 years in academics, teaching research and administration within and outside Nigeria.

She led the department of soil science and technology at FUTO three times before becoming the institution’s first female vice-chancellor.

In addition, she served as the dean of the university’s post-graduate school and chaired the Gender Policy Unit.
She succeeded Prof Francis Eze, whose tenure expired in June 2021.

4. UNICAL: Prof. Florence Obi

Professor Florence Obi was named the 11th vice chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

After 45 years, she is the first female leader of the organization.

A PhD degree holder in the Psychology of Education from the University of Calabar, Obi began her academic career as an assistant lecturer at the Institute of Education, University of Calabar in 1990.

Obi attended St. Bridget’s Primary School in Ogep Osokom, Boki, Cross River State, for her elementary education.

In 1983, she graduated from St. Thomas’s Teachers Training College in Ogoja, Cross River State.

On September 10, 2020, Obi, a professor at the university specializing in special needs education, was named the university’s vice chancellor.

Professor Zana Akpagu’s term ended on November 30, 2020.

5. LASU: Prof. Ibiyemi Bello

The ninth VC of Lagos State University (LASU) is Professor of Physiology Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.

She is the second female VC to hold the esteemed position in the university owned by Lagos State.

The 57-year-old scholar was born in Lagos on April 23, 1964, and is the spouse of Tunji Bello, the former state commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos.

She started out as an assistant lecturer at the University of Lagos College of Medicine and worked her way up to become the first physiology professor at the school in 2007.

In 2008, she was also Lagos State University’s deputy vice-chancellor.

In addition, she served as interim vice chancellor of LASU from July to December 2010 and January to October 2011; she also held the positions of deputy vice chancellor (academic) from November 2011 to January 2013 and head of the department of physiology from October 2007 to December 2008.

6. ADSU: Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta

In 2020, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta was appointed as the substantive vice chancellor of Adamawa State University Mubi by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state.

Before being appointed, she served as the institution’s acting vice chancellor.
From August 2015 to July 2017, she additionally held the position of Commissioner of Education in Adamawa State.

The former governor of Adamawa state, Senator Muhammad Jibrilla, then named her the acting vice-chancellor of ADSU on July 17, 2017.

7. UNIBEN: Prof. Lilian Salami

Prof. Lilian Salami is the University of Benin’s (UNIBEN) tenth substantive vice-chancellor, serving as the governor of Edo state.

She was born in Jos, Plateau state, on August 8, 1956.

After Grace Alele Williams’ term as the institution’s first female vice chancellor ended, Salami, a home economist and former dean of the Faculty of Education was named the second female vice chancellor.

Salami is also a fellow of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria and the International Federation of Home Economics/Home Professionals Association of Nigeria.