•Prof Isaac Adewole
A former Minister of Health and 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Isaac Adewole, has stated that the challenge of leadership emergence in Nigerian higher education institutions is emblematic of the broader governance issues in the country.
The don and medical professional, who listed ethnicity, regional and political considerations as major snags of the process, made the submission while delivering the 14th Registry Annual Lecture of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA on July 24, 2025, reports Nigeran Tribune.
Professor Adewole who spoke on ‘Conundrum of Leadership Emergence in Nigerian Higher Education Institutions: The Missing Links’, however said “with structural reforms, capacity building, and a renewed commitment to meritocracy and transparency, it is possible to cultivate visionary and transformational leadership capable of revitalising Nigeria’s academic landscape.”
Professor Adewole said one of the key challenges of the process is political considerations, which he said often take precedence over merit when appointing key academic and administrative leaders.
“Patronage, favoritism and external pressures can weaken the integrity of the selection process, sometimes leading to the promotion of leaders who lack the necessary skills or vision,” he noted.
“Nigeria’s rich ethnic diversity, while a source of cultural strength, can also manifest as intense competition and factionalism within institutions. Leadership struggles may be influenced by regional loyalties, thereby impeding unity and collaboration with universities and polytechnics.”
The guest lecturer also said most institutions of higher learning lack leadership development programmes.
“Few Nigerian institutions have strong leadership development or succession planning programmes in place. As a result, leadership emergence is often informal, reactive, or based on mentorship rather than systematic training and grooming.”
To enhance the emergence and effectiveness of leaders in Nigerian higher education, Adewole suggested a multifaceted approach to institutionalizing transparent, merit-based selection.
He said, “The governing council should carefully review the appointment of vice chancellors and other key officials. This role requires creativity, energy and tact. In all these areas, adopting a new approach is crucial.
“The time between the appointment and the beginning of duties should be dedicated to orientation and training, helping the new vice chancellor perform effectively in a role they may not yet be fully prepared for. This period should also focus on developing a strategic plan with clear, measurable objectives.
“The Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVC) and the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria (AVCNU), under the guidance of the National Universities Commission (NUC), should oversee the process. Outgoing vice chancellors should be protected from the process to ensure fairness.
“The current registrar, as the council’s secretary, should act as an impartial referee and provide unbiased advice to the council as a whole, especially to the pro-chancellor.”
The registrar and chief host, Mr. Charles Adeleye, while speaking earlier said “this year’s lecture is critical to the ongoing discourse around higher education reforms, leadership and institutional governance.
“The registry annual lecture has become a significant intellectual and professional tradition in the university, providing the platform for reflection, discourse, continuous development of the Registry and administrative best practices within our institutions.”
On her part, the vice chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, commended the registrar and the staff of the Registry for sustaining the tradition against all odds.
She said, “The theme of this year’s lecture compels us to interrogate not just the nature of leadership in our universities but also the processes and principles that inform its emergence.”
She affirmed FUTA’s commitment to building a culture of principled leadership, rooted in integrity, professionalism and academic excellence.
The chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Isaac Fafila, in his remark described the occasion as pivotal to the growth of the Registry of higher institutions in the Nigerian education system, saying the calibre of past guest lecturers and Professor Adewole had made the FUTA Registry Annual Lecture a flagship of idea generation for the development of Registry and Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria.
