By Abubakar Imam
A Professor at the Department of Sociology, University of Ilorin, Deborah Shade Adekeye, has encouraged women to fight challenges that may constitute barriers to their progress.
Prof. Adekeye stated this last Thursday (December 4, 2025) while delivering the 293rd Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled “Breaking The Glass Ceiling For African Women: Insights From Gender Studies” at the University Auditorium.
The Inaugural Lecturer, who acknowledged the rising profile of Nigerian women over the years, said that more could be achieved when women tighten their belts towards wrestling encumbrances.
Prof. Adekeye, who is the Editor-in-Chief of Ilorin Journal of Business and Social Sciences, expressed delight with the fact that over ten women are currently Managing Directors of various banks and financial institutions in the country, a development, which he said, is a remarkable improvement compared with previous developments.
While she said that the University of Ilorin has been doing very well in ensuring that women in its services are not denied their rights and privileges, Prof. Adekeye said that the University currently has no fewer than 76 Professors across various academic Departments.
The don also noted that the University of Ilorin currently has three of her female Professors who are currently serving as Vice Chancellors in some Nigerian universities and beyond.
Prof. Adekeye said that this trend would improve and more women would attain eminence in life if they fight barriers such as poor level of education, low self-esteem, and time management that may be militating against their aspirations and motive for success.
Prof. Adekeye, who is a former Acting Head of the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, University of Ilorin, said that this can only be achieved through proper education, training, and mentoring that would assist individuals to reach the top of their careers or achieve success in their chosen fields.
The Inaugural Lecturer said that all organisations or work settings should do away with such cultures as negative working environment, gender discrimination, biased corporate policies, and leadership style that are detrimental to the advancement of women in the organisations.
She said that every organisation must give room for a work-balance environment that will allow women to perform their responsibilities at home and at work.
Prof. Adekeye also encouraged the Federal Government to encourage female education, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, because access to education, especially in those areas, will improve opportunities for girls and close the gap in higher education enrolment.
She also said that there should be conscious efforts by all members of the society to reduce all the obnoxious norms under the patriarchy system in African countries.
She said that deliberate efforts should be made to eradicate gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices such as genital mutilation, child marriage, and widow inheritance.
Prof. Adekeye also called on the Federal, State, and Local Government Councils to implement the 35% affirmative action for Nigerian women like their counterparts in other African countries like Rwanda and South Africa.
This, she hoped, would ensure more women participation in politics. She encouraged women to be focused and determined as she said that there is no limit to which they can go in any field of their choice.
The Inaugural Lecture, which was presided over by the who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakate-Odunola Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, was attended by other Principal Officers, relations, friends, colleagues, and students of Prof. Adekeye from far and near.
