The Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), took a bold step towards reshaping the academic landscape for women with the successful hosting of the Female Academic Network (FAN) Pre-Launch Roundtable on Monday, August 4, 2025. Held at the Faculty of Law Boardroom, the event convened leading voices, physically and virtually, from academia in the University of Lagos, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) and other institutions to explore the theme: Building a Functional Network for Females in Academia: Prospects, Challenges and Strategies.
Organized by Professor of Intellectual Property, Commercial and Industrial Law, Adejoke Oyewunmi, the roundtable marked a pivotal moment in the journey towards establishing a multidisciplinary support system for female academics across Nigeria and beyond. She disclosed that the initiative was inspired by the 2024 Females in Academics Conference held at Babcock University held last year, where female scholars including Dr. Josephine Adekola of the University of Glasgow – shared insights on navigating academic careers, leadership, and work-life balance.
The roundtable featured a compelling virtual presentation titled: Establishing a Female Academic Network for Research Development and International Collaboration by Dr. Adekola. She highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women in academia across sub-Saharan Africa, the gender gap in research leadership, and the urgent need for inclusive structures that foster collaboration and visibility.
The event was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, who shared her trailblazing journey as the first female Provost of the College of Medicine, and later as Vice-Chancellor. She urged participants to embrace excellence, take decisive action, take emotions out of their work, take nothing personal and build resilience. “Leadership is not about popularity,” she said. “When you make a mistake as a woman, the backlash is worse—but you must rise above it.”
She also charged participants to “delegate as much as possible, start to prioritize, choose a supportive spouse, be the best they can be in their space and hold each other up”.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Professor Bola Oboh, emphasized the importance of visibility, strategic networking, and research distinction. “Publish where people will see you,” she advised, encouraging attendees to leverage academic conferences, mentorship, and professional platforms like LinkedIn to build their brand and influence.
She highlighted some challenges facing women in academia and encouraged them to set clear goals and plan ways to achieve them in their careers, prioritize self-care, contest in elections without fear of losing; and take part in interdisciplinary research.
The event featured a dynamic panel discussion and group discussion which focused on designing the structure, strategic priorities, and sustainability of the proposed network. Participants explored barriers to female advancement in academia and brainstormed actionable solutions to foster inclusion, collaboration, and career growth.
The Female Academic Network (FAN) Pre-Launch Roundtable laid the foundation for a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women to thrive in academia. The insights and strategies generated would inform the formal launch of the Female Academic Network, envisioned as a vibrant, inclusive platform for research development, mentorship, and leadership advancement.
Report: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Islamiat Akanni
