Professor Olajumoke Morenikeji is the first female Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University (KDU), Ibadan. A Professor of Parasitology, she was former Director of the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden. She is the Pioneer President of the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks, Chair of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park, and Founder/Chair of the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria. In this interview, the professor said getting to the top is not about gender, but hard work.
How did you receive your appointment as the first female Vice-Chancellor of KolaDaisi University?
I received the appointment with profound gratitude to God. More importantly, I see it as a responsibility and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact – not only on Kola Daisi University, but also on the younger generation. I have always believed that leadership is all about service. I therefore see this appointment as an opportunity to serve the university and contribute to the realisation of the vision of our Founder, Chief Kola Daisi. Our founder is deeply committed to education and to the development of young people. I have seen first-hand, over the years, his dedication to sustaining the university, providing a conducive environment for learning, and ensuring that our students receive quality education. That commitment is a major source of encouragement to me. I am equally encouraged by the support of the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council. With their support, I am confident that we can further strengthen KolaDaisi University, deepen its impact, and build an institution of which our students, staff, alumni and the wider community can be proud of.
What message does it send to young women?
The most important message is that women should place no self-imposed limits on what they can achieve. With vision, preparation, hard work, perseverance and integrity, women can aspire to and succeed in positions of leadership and professional excellence. To be honest, I was initially surprised when people began referring to me as the university’s first female Vice-Chancellor. I was never driven by that distinction. My focus has always been on doing my work to the best of my ability, accepting responsibility whenever it is entrusted to me, and striving to serve with integrity, accountability and excellence. For me, the lesson for young women is that achievement should not be defined by gender. It is shaped by preparation, hard work, resilience, discipline, integrity and the courage to pursue one’s aspirations. Women should not spend their lives asking whether something is possible for them simply because they are women. They should prepare themselves, acquire the necessary competence, do the work, and have the courage to pursue the opportunities before them. If my appointment encourages even one young woman to believe that she can aspire to the highest level of her profession and pursue that aspiration with confidence, then I consider that an important part of its significance. And, I believe that, with God, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
From your experience, do Nigerian women today have sufficient opportunities to pursue education, careers and leadership positions?
I believe opportunities have expanded considerably for women in Nigeria. The landscape today is very different from what existed in the past. Women are accessing higher education, entering professions that were once largely male-dominated and occupying leadership positions across different sectors. At KolaDaisi University, we are committed to maintaining an environment in which both men and women can develop and excel. However, opportunity alone is not enough; what you do with it is what truly matters. Women must be intentional about their education, their careers and the goals they set for themselves. They must remain focused and refuse to be distracted from their purpose. I would therefore encourage young women not to define themselves by limitations. They should acquire the competence they need, set clear goals, work hard and position themselves for leadership.
What advice would you give young women aspiring to leadership and professional excellence?
First, believe in yourself and in your ability to achieve your goals. Then prepare yourself diligently, because lasting success is built not only on confidence, but also on competence, character and hard work. Young women must understand that excellence does not happen by accident. It requires discipline, hard work, continuous learning and perseverance. They must also protect their integrity. No position or achievement is worth compromising your values. They should not lower their standards simply because they are women or because they are trying to get ahead. They should build competence, remain focused and allow the quality of their work to speak for them. Above all, they should trust God and remain committed to their goals. The journey may not always be easy, but difficulty should not be mistaken for impossibility.
What would you describe as KolaDaisi University’s major strengths as it competes in Nigeria’s higher education sector?
One of our greatest strengths is our commitment to providing an enabling environment for teaching, learning and research. We are also privileged to have a founder whose unwavering commitment to the university’s growth is reflected in his strong support for academic excellence, research, innovation and staff development. Another significant strength is our Board and Governing Council, comprising accomplished professionals and distinguished leaders who are deeply committed to the university’s long-term growth, good governance and sustainability. Their strategic guidance and wealth of experience provide a strong foundation for the continued advancement of KolaDaisi University. Our location in Ibadan is also strategic. Ibadan has a rich educational heritage and provides an environment in which a university such as KolaDaisi can thrive. But beyond infrastructure and location, the greatest potential lies in our people. We are building the right calibre of staff, attracting students with the potential to excel and developing an institutional culture that values excellence. Our ambition is not simply to grow in size. We want to grow in quality, reputation, research strength and impact.
Having served as a Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, you are familiar the institution. What are the major challenges confronting the university, and how are you addressing them?
Funding is one of the major challenges confronting universities generally, and private universities are no exception. A university that wants to provide quality education, attract and retain good academics, support research and continuously improve its infrastructure requires significant resources. For us, the response is not to compromise standards but to become more strategic and resourceful. We are building stronger partnerships, greater research funding, effective revenue-generation strategies and responsible financial management. We are ensuring that our staff are adequately supported because institutional excellence, on the final analysis, depends on the people delivering it. Challenges are not insurmountable. What matters is to have the leadership, discipline and strategic thinking required to address them.
What are your immediate priorities, and what do you hope to achieve during your tenure as Vice-Chancellor?
My immediate priorities are academic excellence, cutting-edge research, the welfare of our students and staff, engagement with the wider community, good governance and financial sustainability. Student welfare is very important to me. Students should have the support and environment they need to succeed academically and develop into responsible graduates. Staff welfare is also critical because you can’t expect excellence from people who are not adequately supported. I also want KolaDaisi University to have a stronger relationship with its surrounding communities. A university should not exist as an island. The knowledge generated within the university should translate into solutions and measurable benefits for society. That means strengthening the relationship between town and gown and ensuring that our expertise contributes to solving real problems in our immediate environment and beyond. We will deepen institutional governance and secure the university’s long-term financial resilience. Excellence cannot thrive without accountable leadership, robust systems, sound financial management, and a sustainable resource base
How would you describe your leadership style, and how do you intend to translate your vision into results?
I would describe my leadership style as transformational, participatory and results-oriented. I believe effective leadership requires listening, openness to constructive criticism and creating space for people to contribute ideas. At the same time, leadership can’t end with consultation. There comes a point when decisions must be taken, responsibilities assigned and actions implemented. I therefore place a strong emphasis on accountability. When an issue is identified, it should be addressed promptly, responsibilities should be clear, and progress should be followed through to a meaningful outcome. I believe in a culture where people are empowered to act but are also accountable for results. My vision is to see meaningful transformation across the university – in student enrolment and experience, academic and non-academic staff development, research, governance, infrastructure and financial capacity. But vision without implementation remains an aspiration. We must therefore translate our plans into clear priorities, measurable outcomes and timelines, while building the systems, capacity and resources required to deliver them.
What should government do differently to strengthen Nigeria’s university system?
Government must treat education as a strategic national investment, not simply another item of expenditure. The future of Nigeria depends on the quality of its human capital. If we fail to provide young Nigerians with quality education, we are compromising the country’s capacity to develop technologically, economically and socially. Universities need adequate funding, functional infrastructure, research support and an environment that enables academics to teach and conduct meaningful research. The welfare and working conditions of lecturers and other university employees also require serious attention. You cannot consistently demand excellence from academics while failing to provide the resources and conditions necessary for them to perform effectively.
