A team of two assessors from Cranfield University, United Kingdom, has highly rated the performance of 12 women Professors of the University of Lagos at the Nigeria Wins Project Impact Assessment.
The team, in company of some of the trainees, gave the commendation at their courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. They were received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Development Services), Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa.
Introducing the team to the Vice-Chancellor’s representative, a participant in the training and DVC (Academics & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, disclosed that the Leadership Training Programme was funded by the Women for Africa Foundation and coordinated by Cranfield University.
The Cranfield duo of Dr. Irene Izegwire and Dr. Evelyn Lanka appreciated the university’s leadership for their hospitality and support throughout their four-day impact assessment of the trainees.
While giving her remarks, Dr. Lanka disclosed that the training is an attempt to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions and to promote gender equality within the academic sphere.
Dr. Lanka gave an overview of the training and an assessment of the participants. She praised them as being well-aware of their ability to handle difficult conversations, as well as to advise and counsel, noting that such self-awareness will have a direct impact on their future students.
The thorough-bred Psychologist revealed that the impact assessment afforded the visiting team from Cranfield the opportunity to witness first-hand how the women Professors have been able to ingrain coaching and mentoring in their students.
According to her, “coaching, which is often pictured as leading a team to victory, requires certain people who are specialised in an area; whereas mentoring is mostly pictured as professional advising and teaching another in a new area. But it’s essential to know that both coaches and mentors are equally important for different parts of our lives and development”.
Dr. Izegwire, on her part, commended the university authorities for the giving room for the training, so as to enhance female leadership capacity, which largely contributes to bridging the development and gender gaps in Nigeria.
Her words: “Participating in leadership training programmes can have a multiplicity of benefits for women professors. These programmes often focus on developing essential leadership skills, enhancing strategic thinking, fostering effective communication, and building confidence. Additionally, networking opportunities provided through such initiatives can help participants to establish valuable connections within their field and to gain access to mentorship from experienced leaders.”
Responding to the facilitators, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Atsenuwa, underscored the importance of the training. She acknowledged it as a significant step towards empowering female academics in Nigeria.
She, however, admonished the Cranfield team, which is renowned for its expertise in leadership development, to extend the same opportunity to members of the non-teaching cadre of the institution.
“By providing targeted support and resources to women professionals in both academic and non-teaching cadres of our universities, we can help bridge the gender gap in leadership positions and create a more equitable landscape”.
Thereafter, participants of the training expressed their opinion of the programme, assuring the team of their determination to integrate lessons learned from with their professional practice.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Favour Meghara (Student Volunteer)
