The University of Lagos invites applications from suitably qualified and distinguished candidates for appointment to the Senator Douye Diri Professorial Chair in Leadership and Good Governance in the Department of Political Science.
The Chair is established to provide intellectual leadership and promote cutting-edge scholarship, research, policy engagement and public discourse on leadership and good governance in Nigeria and Africa.
A. OBJECTIVES OF THE CHAIR
The Professor appointed to the SENATOR DOUYE DIRI PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE will be expected to:
- Provide academic and intellectual leadership in the study of leadership and good governance, with particular emphasis on contemporary political, institutional and developmental challenges.
- Provide intellectual leadership in teaching, research and scholarship in the fields of leadership, governance and political science.
- Develop and lead a research agenda addressing contemporary issues of leadership and governance with local, national and international relevance.
- Undertake high-impact research in specialised areas of Leadership and Good Governance and disseminate findings through reputable peer-reviewed national and international journals and scholarly books.
- Serve as a focal point for interdisciplinary research, policy engagement and knowledge dissemination among the University, government, civil society, development partners, the media and other relevant stakeholders.
- Attract research funding and develop strategic partnerships with national and international organisations to promote effective and youth-focused leadership and governance strategies.
- Organise and deliver public lectures, policy dialogues, conferences, seminars and workshops on leadership and good governance.
- Build strategic relationships with policymakers, government institutions, civil society organisations, professional bodies, international organisations and other stakeholders concerned with governance and development.
- Teach and supervise students at postgraduate levels in relevant areas of Leadership and Good Governance.
- Deliver the Senator Douye Diri Annual Public Lecture in Leadership and Good Governance, designed to stimulate public discourse and strengthen University–industry and University–policy engagement through the application of research findings.
B. MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic excellence, intellectual merit and proven integrity in the field of Leadership and Good Governance.
Candidates must:
- possess a good first degree in a relevant field and a Ph.D. in an area relevant to Leadership and Good Governance;
- be a full Professor with an established record of academic excellence and proven integrity;
- demonstrate an appreciable record of scholarly publications in reputable national and international peer-reviewed journals and scholarly outlets;
- demonstrate an established record of teaching and continuing research in Leadership and Good Governance;
- possess demonstrated academic and administrative leadership capabilities, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills; and
- provide evidence of the ability to supervise Master’s and Doctoral students.
The successful candidate, upon appointment, shall be designated Chair Occupier of the Senator Douye Diri Professorial Chair in Leadership and Good Governance.
C. REMUNERATION
The appointment attracts an enhanced salary package on CONUASS 07/10, with Chair Allowance/Top-Up Allowance (CATA) included, as follows:
- Consolidated Annual Salary (CATA): ₦15,007,364.96
- Additional 20% Allowance: ₦1,895,337.79
- Total Annual Gross Package: ₦16,902,702.75
The appointment also includes the following benefits:
- Official vehicle and driver;
- Accommodation;
- Conference grant; and
- Annual research grant.
D. TENURE
The appointment to the Professorial Chair shall be for a period of three (3) years.
E. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The appointment shall be subject to the University of Lagos Conditions of Service for Senior Staff.
F. METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and qualified candidates should submit detailed application, curriculum vitae, and relevant publications via: https://career.unilag.edu.ng/jobportal/jobportal/
The curriculum vitae should include:
- Full name;
- Place and date of birth;
- Contact details, including residential address, postal address, email address and telephone number;
- Nationality and marital status, including number and ages of children;
- Academic and professional qualifications, with dates and institutions;
- Details of academic positions held;
- List of publications;
- Other relevant professional activities;
- Names and contact details of three referees; and
- Proposed date of availability, if appointed.
In addition to the curriculum vitae and publications, each candidate should submit a Personal Statement, and Strategic Plan whichshould clearly state the candidate’s understanding of vision for the Chair, the value the candidate would bring to the position, and a clear and realistic strategy for delivering measurable impact during the tenure of the appointment. Consequently, the applicant for this position should come up with a 2-year Professorial Chair Strategic Plan with objectives, activities, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), annual targets, responsible persons, budget lines, funding sources and a Gantt-style implementation timeline.
The proposed Strategic Plan should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound – and should provide sufficient detail to enable the University and other stakeholders to objectively assess the performance and impact of the Chair. At the end of the two-year period, the occupant of the Chair should be able to provide documented evidence of academic excellence, leadership development, institutional impact, policy influence, stakeholder engagement and measurable improvements in governance practice. The Two-Year Strategic Plan will therefore serve not only as a roadmap for the occupant of the Chair but also as a performance and accountability framework against which the achievement of the objectives of the Professorial Chair in Leadership and Good Governance can be evaluated.
Applicants must complete the online application form via https://career.unilag.edu.ng/jobportal/jobportal/, print and submit the acknowledgement slip to:
The Director OR The Deputy Registrar
Office of Advancement, Human Resources Management Directorate
University of Lagos, Akoka-Lagos, University of Lagos, Akoka-Lagos,
Email: advancement@unilag.edu.ng Email: recruitment@unilag.edu.ng
G. CLOSING DATE
All interested applicants should note that application process, which commenced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, will officially close on Tuesday, October 20 2026, being the 42nd day from the commencement date.
All prospective applicants are hereby advised to complete and submit their applications on or before Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Mrs. V. Abosede Wickliffe
Registrar & Secretary to Council
