The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, FAS, OON has called on African universities to embrace the moral and social responsibility to actively seek out and support the girl child for education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
She made the call during a high-level plenary session titled “Women in STEM and Leadership: Breaking Barriers, Driving Change” at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) programme, held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana from Monday, April 7 to Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
According to Professor Ogunsola, universities must go beyond their traditional academic roles to engage intentionally with their surrounding communities – especially in identifying and nurturing young girls with potential in STEM disciplines.
“We have a moral imperative as universities in our social contracts with our communities to ensure that we seek out the girl child, especially for STEM,” she emphasized.
The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that deep-rooted social conditioning continues to keep many girls away from science and engineering fields.
“Girls are socialised not to take up space, to be nice, to make others comfortable… and are often told that engineering is a man’s job. These internalized beliefs follow them into adulthood and shape their career choices,” she noted, drawing from her own experience breaking gender barriers as the first female Provost in the College of Medicine.
Outlining UNILAG’s three-pronged strategy, Catch-them-Young, Bring-them-In, and Help-them-Stay, Professor Ogunsola described various intentional efforts by the University to promote STEM education among girls. These include community outreach programmes which target primary and secondary schools in nearby underserved communities, scholarship initiatives backed by alumni, and mentorship opportunities led by accomplished female scientists and engineers.
She cited the University’s work with parent-teacher associations, local chiefs, and traditional institutions as part of its “catch-them-young” strategy.
“We’ve spoken with community leaders about the issues their youth face: teenage pregnancy, early marriage, unemployment, and we’re working on targeted interventions that address these concerns while opening pathways to STEM for girls.”
Highlighting the importance of representation, Professor Ogunsola praised initiatives like UNILAG’s AI and Robotics boot camps for girls, led by Dr. Chika Yinka-Banjo, which has transformed from a small class of ten students to an oversubscribed programme producing coding champions from the slums. She also noted the success of UNILAG’s Innovation and Technology Management Office, headed by female engineers, as proof of what targeted investment in women can achieve.
In tackling the challenge of retention and workplace integration, Professor Ogunsola said the University of Lagos is intentionally recruiting more women into STEM faculties, offering flexible work arrangements, and leveraging alumni networks for internships and mentoring.
“We must demystify science and engineering for girls and create environments where they can thrive,” she declared.
She also urged universities to actively bridge the gap between research and policy by engaging decision-makers early in the research process and sharing insights from inaugural lectures with relevant ministries.
“We must not only create answers to our time’s challenges, but also ensure those answers inform national policy.”
Professor Ogunsola’s submissions were met with resounding applause as she closed with a rallying call to African universities: “Every effort counts. If we are intentional, we can build a continent where no girl is left behind in science, technology, or leadership.”
The African Centres of Exellence (ACE) programme was launched in 2014 to address higher skills, applied research and innovation requirements of Sub-Saharan Africa to promote growth and competitiveness.
Report: Isaiah Kumuyi
