The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has urged women in leadership positions not to shy away from making difficult decisions, emphasizing that courage, competence, fairness, empathy, and transparency are the hallmarks of effective leadership.
In an interview in Lagos, Prof. Ogunsola
, the first female Vice-Chancellor in the university’s 60-year history — said leadership is fundamentally about service to humanity, which demands facing realities with an open mind and a strong sense of responsibility.
“Leaders must not be afraid to make tough calls when the need arises,” she said. “If you throw caution to the wind, you end up serving a small group’s interest while neglecting the majority. It’s important to stick to the rules and resist the temptation to satisfy private interests.”
Ogunsola cautioned against the misconception that female leaders need protection or shielding from challenges.
“It is often misconstrued that as a female, I need help or to be shielded when there’s bad news. But leadership has no gender,” she said. “You cannot be shielded from information about your environment or the realities on ground. It’s better to know what you are dealing with.”
Reflecting on her two and a half years in office, the UNILAG VC said she had remained true to herself and committed to fairness in decision-making.
“I believe that most people have come to see that I am trying to be fair and that there is nothing personal in the way I handle issues,” she said.
Acknowledging the pressure that comes with public office, Ogunsola noted that leadership requires balance — firmness without rigidity.
“You cannot be too rigid, but you must be conscious of the lines you should not cross,” she added.
On achieving excellence, she said competence and merit should guide leadership decisions.
“I ensure that criteria for appointments or opportunities are open and transparent. It’s not about knowing the vice-chancellor but about meeting the requirements,” she explained.
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Ogunsola also challenged women to aspire to leadership roles and not underestimate their potential.
“I never came to UNILAG intending to become vice-chancellor. Many women are very capable but often do not position themselves for such roles,” she said.
The vice-chancellor concluded by urging women to embrace leadership and contribute meaningfully to national and institutional growth.
“Women should not shy away from leadership. We have a lot to offer society,” she said.
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