VC charges staff members on diligence
By Mustafa Abubakar, Tajudeen Babamale and Bashir Dawodu
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egewole, SAN, has urged staff members of the University to continue to work diligently wherever they find themselves.
Prof. Egbewole stated this last Wednesday (February 11, 2026) while declaring open a workshop, themed “Re-Imagining Leadership and Workplace Harmony for a Sustainable Future”, organised by the Centre for Management and Leadership, Ilorin (CMLI) at the University Multipurpose Hall.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, noted that the training was designed to develop leadership skills and improve productivity among staff members.
He encouraged participants to listen attentively and remain open to learning in order to become effective and exemplary leaders.
In her opening remarks, the Acting Director of CMLI, Dr Adeola Aminat Odebode, stated that the future of any organisation largely depends on the quality of its leadership and the level of harmony within its workforce.
“Leadership today goes beyond authority, position, or title”, she said, adding that “It is not defined by hierarchy alone, but by the ability to positively influence others”.
Dr Odebode encouraged participants to take full advantage of the workshop by learning from one another so as to be informed and transformed.
She also expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for staff capacity development within and outside the University.
Also speaking, the First Lady of Kwara State, Amb. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, congratulated the participants, noting that Nigeria needs capable leaders to drive national development. She urged them to mentor and encourage younger generations.
According to her, a good leader must carry people along, inspire others, and demonstrate vision, empathy, and accountability.
Amb. AbdulRazaq further charged Nigerians to ensure that the next generation is better equipped than previous ones. She commended the Centre for choosing a timely and beneficial theme, adding that the society needs more quality leaders.
In his lecture, titled “Transformative Leadership in Higher Education: Redefining Roles for Institutional Sustainability”, a former Minister of National Planning and current Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, emphasised the need for leaders in higher education to acquire essential leadership skills and leverage technology.
Prof.Sulaiman, who was represented by the former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Abuja, Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, highlighted key elements of transformative leadership, including good role modelling, motivational leadership, intellectual stimulation, promotion of creativity, and the capacity to deliver effectively.
He charged authorities to ensure that tested and trusted leaders are entrusted with the important task of leading higher education institutions and the country at large.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Communications, Kwara State, Hon. Bola Olukoju, who was represented by the Head of the Press Unit, Mr Habeeb Oreduni, described leadership as a great responsibility that involves managing people with diverse characters.
Hon. Olukoju said a good leader must have vision, communicate strategically, lead without intimidation, and show empathy towards the followers.
“Leaders must practise what they preach in order to build trust,” he said.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr Abu Salami, noted that leadership is not about giving instructions alone but about being a good listener.
Mr Ibrahim urged leaders to lead by example and ensure that their followers see admirable qualities in them, even after retirement.