Continuing her efforts to strengthen administrative excellence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs. V. Abosede Wickliffe, convened a crucial meeting with Personal Assistants (PAs) across all campuses on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
The session, held at the Senate Chamber, offered an opportunity for these essential staff members to reflect on their roles, and discuss possible ways to further enhance their contributions to the University’s administrative functions.
Joined by the Director of Academic Affairs Directorate, Mr. Micheal Uwakwe; and Deputy Registrar and Admissions Officer, Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede; Principal Assistant Registrar/Administrative Head at the Office of the Registar, Mrs. Nneka Ugochukwu; Mrs. Wickliffe underscored the importance of the Personal Assistants, describing their position as the first point of contact for all university offices.
The Registrar emphasized the growing importance of continuous professional development, particularly in soft skills, for University staff. Highlighting the insights from the institution’s recent inaugural lecture delivered by Professor Lawanson, she underscored that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the workplace, and Personal Assistants must adapt to the change to remain relevant.
According to her, the lecture pointed out that as AI increasingly takes on tasks traditionally handled by humans, most roles could soon become obsolete unless university professional workforce equip themselves with the necessary skills to navigate these changes effectively. The Registrar urged Personal Assistants to prioritize ongoing training to stay ahead in an evolving job market.
Mr. Uwakwe, in his remarks, praised the Personal Assistants for their promptness in attending the meeting and emphasized the need for them to uphold values such as integrity and modesty in their daily responsibilities. his words, “As the backbone of any office, your professionalism and attention to detail are essential for the smooth operation of the University,”.
Similarly, Mrs. Oloyede added her voice to the discussion, highlighting the importance of being proactive, reliable, and efficient in their duties. Her remarks brought to the front burner the need for high standard of conduct and appearance, noting that as representatives of their respective offices, their actions and attitudes play a pivotal role in shaping the University’s public image.
The meeting also included an engaging Q&A session, where staff shared concerns and suggestions. A key point raised among other concerns was the need for the institution to sponsor enhanced training opportunities, enabling them to further develop their skills and support their ongoing professional growth.
The Registrar acknowledged the concerns and assured the attendees that the University would explore ways to provide continuous learning and development opportunities for all Registry staff.
The session concluded with group photographs with Mrs. Wickliffe and other senior officials of the Registry.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Michael Joshua
