Olowoleni advocates spousal support for women’s career growth
By Temitope Omoniyi
The immediate past Registrar of the University of Ilorin, Dr Folaranmi Modupe Olowoleni, has urged men to actively support their wives’ career aspirations to enable them reach the pinnacle of their professions.
Dr Olowoleni made the call last Wednesday (August 12, 2026) while receiving a high-powered delegation of Deputy Registrars of the University, led by the Registrar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, who paid her a congratulatory visit at her residence to celebrate her 65th birthday and official retirement from the services of the University.
Expressing profound gratitude to her husband, Dr Francis Rotimi Olowoleni, for his steadfast encouragement throughout her career, the former Registrar emphasised that spousal backing remains a vital pillar for women aspiring to leadership positions in the public service.
She commended the Registrar, Mr Alfanla, for establishing the tradition of honouring retired administrative leaders.
She also advised university administrators to remain politically neutral and stressed that career administrators must stay above board and refrain from allowing partisan politics to compromise objective decision-making.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Alfanla described his predecessor as a paragon of professional excellence, firmness, and diligence. He specifically praised her for pioneering key administrative modernisations during her tenure, including the implementation of the University’s online transcript application process.
Some Deputy Registrars in attendance equally paid tributes to Dr Olowoleni, describing her as a thorough, fair, and exceptionally smart administrator who left an indelible mark on university administration.
Dr Olowoleni, who marked her 65th birthday and retirement on April 19, 2026, served as the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council from 2018 to 2023. She holds the distinction of being the University’s second female Registrar and the first to hold a PhD since the inception of the University. She succeeded Mr Emmanuel Dada Obafemi in 2018 before handing over to Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla in 2023.
