Nigeria’s women vice-chancellors: I know what it’s like to be one, and why there are so few
The secretary-general of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria recently disclosed that only 38 women have been vice-chancellors of universities in Nigeria since 1960, out of more than 720 in total. The Conversation Africa asked Ekanem Braide, the Nigerian Academy of Science president and a former vice-chancellor, why this is so and how the country can have more women as university heads. Why are there so few female vice-chancellors in Nigeria?As in other professions, the early career years of young academics in universities coincide with marriage and having children.
The secretary-general of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria recently disclosed that only 38 women have been vice-chancellors of universities in Nigeria since 1960, out of more than 720 in total. The Conversation Africa asked Ekanem Braide, the Nigerian Academy of Science president and a former vice-chancellor, why this is so and how the country can have more women as university heads.
Why are there so few female vice-chancellors in Nigeria?
- As in other professions, the early career years of young academics in universities coincide with marriage and having children.
- Most young female academics have to take care of young families, teach, conduct research, publish and generally struggle to climb the academic ladder.
- Discrimination against women and under-representation of women in leadership positions are deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, values, traditions and attitudes.
- In my experience, the belief in male supremacy and female subordination remains dominant.
- Higher value is therefore attached to the boy over the girl even by highly educated men and women.
You have been a VC twice. How did that come about?
- I did not apply for the position of vice-chancellor in both instances.
- In 2004, I was invited by Donald Duke, governor of Cross River State, to head the new Cross River University of Technology.
- I was again invited to serve as pioneer vice-chancellor of Federal University, Lafia and I served from 2011 to 2016.
What advice do you have for women wanting to be a VC in Nigeria?
Female academics who aspire to become vice-chancellors should:
set a personal goal and plan to achieve it
prepare a convincing plan for the university, making it clear what they want to achieve as vice-chancellor
serve well in any position so their name comes to mind
be confident
undergo leadership training
study and be conversant with all mandatory documents guiding operations in the university
be familiar with the roles of the National Universities Commission, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Federal Ministry of Education and other departments and agencies in the university system
apply and prepare adequately for the interview.
How can Nigeria have more female vice-chancellors?
- Men and women should just change their mindset about women.
- There are many women who are qualified to serve as vice-chancellors in Nigeria.
- Second, the government at national and state levels, as well as private proprietors, should consider and appoint women to lead universities.
Ekanem Braide does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.