By Our Correspondent
Lagos. Oct. 9, ’25 (TNZ) Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, has advised women in leadership positions to take tough decisions without fear when the need arises.
TheNewsZenith reports that Ogunsola gave the charge while speaking with newsmen in Lagos.
She said that courage, competence, fairness, empathy and transparency would distinguish any leader.
The VC noted that leadership was about service to humanity and, therefore, required facing situations with an open mind.
Ogunsola, UNILAG’s first female Vice Chancellor, urged women to be inclusive and pragmatic in leadership.
She warned that bending rules and satisfying private interests would have severe consequences. She, therefore, urged them to stick to the rules.
“If you throw caution to the wind, you will end up serving the interest of a small group of people, while neglecting a sizable number.
”It is often misconstrued that female leaders should be shielded. They are sometimes underestimated.
“It is often misconstrued that as a female, I need help or when there is bad news, I need to be shielded.
“If you allow that, you may be making a grievous mistake. This is 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,” TheNewsZenith quotes the VC as saying.
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She recalled that in her two and a half years of administration in UNILAG, she had been true to herself.
“In all ramifications, I have been true to my self. 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, i hold nothing personal,” she added.
Ogunsola described her job as tough, noting that’s most public offices were associated with pressure.
“We keep saying that our leaders don’t do enough but we need to consider the pressure coming from outside.
“You cannot be too rigid but you must be very conscious of lines you should not cross,” the VC said.
She urged that competence should always be considered to achieve excellence.
“I put out criteria that are open to all. This means that 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 whether you knowing the vice chancellor or not.
“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.
TheNewsZenith reports that Ogunsola became the first female Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG after 60 years of the instirution’s existence.
She said that she never came into the institution with plans of becoming a vice chancellor. (TNZ)
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