The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos (UNILAG) in collaboration with the Human Flourishing Initiatives Team, hosted the maiden edition of Female Flourishing 1.0 for final-year female Psychology students on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The programme, themed “ You Can Have It All,” was designed to equip participants with confidence, leadership skills, and socio-emotional intelligence, while preparing them for life after graduation. It also focused on helping students make informed decisions regarding relationships, marriage, health, career, and personal development.
Goodwill Messages
Representative of the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the Acting Director of UNILAG Career Supprt Development Centre, Dr. Moji Manuel, commended the organisers for initiating the programme. She encouraged the students to embrace courage, self-confidence, and dignity in their pursuit of success.
Dr. Manuel urged the participants to take pride in their identity and refuse to be limited by societal expectations. According to her, women should remain steadfast in recognising their value and purpose in life. She further advised them to uphold their dignity, believe in their self-worth, and remain focused on fulfilling their purpose, describing women as gifts to the world.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, described women as drivers of a silent revolution with far-reaching implications in today’s globalised world. He urged participants to cultivate self-discipline, appreciate their uniqueness, and avoid unhealthy comparisons.
Prof. Odukoya emphasised the importance of embracing individual strengths and challenging stereotypes about women, noting that the greatness of womanhood is reflected in everyday actions.
The Head of the Department of Psychology, Dr. Bolajoko Malomo, encouraged students to discover their strengths and pursue their passions with commitment and determination. Sharing her career journey, she recounted her transition from Psychology into the banking sector before eventually returning to academia to earn a PhD at nearly 50 years old.
Dr. Malomo stressed the importance of self-reflection and personal growth, urging female students to recognise their potential, remain focused on their goals, and strive for excellence despite challenges.
Flourishing in Your Academics
Delivering the keynote address on Flourishing in Your Academics , Prof. Temitope Onuminya of the Faculty of Life Sciences, UNILAG, shared her inspiring academic journey. She revealed that although she initially sought admission to study Medicine at UNILAG, she was offered Botany.
Despite the disappointment, she embraced the opportunity, excelled academically, and graduated with a first-class degree after emerging as the best student in her department in her first year. She later proceeded directly to a PhD programme without first obtaining a Master’s degree and eventually became the university’s youngest PhD holder after producing the institution’s best doctoral thesis.
Prof. Onuminya encouraged students to rise above limitations and intentionally build the future they desire. She emphasised the importance of mentorship, wise relationship choices, humility, and prayerfulness, adding that dedication and determination can make anything achievable.
Another keynote speaker, Mrs. Abiola Adelana, Head of Tourism and Creative Business at Sterling Bank Plc, encouraged students to prioritise soft skills development and strong character as essential ingredients for career success.
Mrs. Adelana stated that women can attain professional excellence without sacrificing their personal lives, stressing the importance of balance. She also encouraged participants to build meaningful relationships, engage in self-reflection, and seek mentorship for personal and career growth.
As part of her support for academic excellence, she presented books to four students and awarded a cash prize of ₦50,000 to the best graduating student in the Department of Psychology.
Flourishing in Your Career
Speaking on Flourishing in Your Career, the Deputy Registrar of WAEC International Office, Lagos, Dr. Odunola Osoba, encouraged students to embrace productivity, financial independence, and hard work as critical tools for career success.
Dr. Osoba highlighted the importance of building strong support systems, developing a career plan, and maintaining good character in both personal and professional life. She also shared her personal experience of balancing academics with family responsibilities, revealing that she got married in 1999, obtained a Master’s degree in 2005, and later earned another degree in Public Administration in 2026.
Flourishing in Health and Marriage
Also speaking, Dr. Omowunmi Femi-Akinlosotu of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, urged participants to embrace holistic wellbeing as a foundation for flourishing in life and marriage.
Speaking on Flourishing in Health and Marriage, she explained that flourishing extends beyond success and happiness to include peace, purpose, healthy relationships, and overall physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Dr. Femi-Akinlosotu encouraged participants to cultivate healthy lifestyles through balanced nutrition, adequate hydration, sufficient sleep, emotional wellness, and proper menstrual health management. She also advised students experiencing menstrual health challenges to seek professional medical attention.
She further stressed the importance of mentorship, healthy relationships, and self-awareness, warning against toxic relationships and unhealthy comparisons. She urged participants to pursue their dreams with determination, develop leadership qualities, and refuse to settle for less in life and relationships.
On marriage, she described it as a partnership built on respect, maturity, friendship, and shared responsibility, advising women to attain financial and spiritual stability before marriage.
Dr. Ruth Goma, a development psychologist, also encouraged students to prioritise psychological wellbeing, self-discipline, and personal growth in order to thrive in high-performance environments.
Speaking on “Navigating High-Performance Environments: Psychological Flourishing and Managing Environmental and Psychological Wellbeing,” Dr. Goma urged participants to cultivate kindness, compassion, emotional awareness, and healthy relationships.
She emphasised the importance of mindfulness, planning, effective communication, healthy boundaries, self-worth, and intentional living, while encouraging students to remain proactive, disciplined, and committed to personal development and societal impact.
… You Can Have It All!
At the close of the programme, organisers presented gifts to keynote speakers, guest speakers, and faculty members in appreciation of their contributions. Sponsors were also recognised for their financial and moral support toward the success of the event.
Notable attendees included the Director of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI), Prof. Riskat Dauda; Prof. Lawanson of the Department of Economics; programme conveners Dr. Gbemisola Akinwale and Dr. Bukola Bada; Dr. Bountiful Taiwo Adelaja; and other distinguished members of the university community
Report: Oluwatoyin Ojo-Alo
Photograph: Islamiat Akanni
