The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has called on university staff to prepare for sweeping changes as the institution embarks on a digital transformation journey.
She made the remarks during the maiden Registry Week of the university, themed “University Administration: The Future is Now,” held at its Distance Learning Institute.
Addressing registry staff, Ogunsola stressed that professional conduct, reliability, and excellence remain central to navigating the rapidly changing technological landscape.
The Vice Chancellor emphasised digital readiness, warning that failure to adapt would leave the institution behind.
“You are surely appreciated. And I want to put you on notice that the university is going through a digital transformation.
Nobody is too old, too young, or not to become digital.
“Digitisation, computer literacy, is the new reading and writing. If you can’t do that, you’ll be left behind. You’re going to go through some hard work in the next few months and years, but I assure you, there is a light shining at the end of it.
“You’ll be better, more valuable, and the university will be better for it. And that includes the College of Medicine and Radiography,” she said.
Ogunsola warned that adapting to change is critical in an era of rapid technological disruption.
“If we are future-ready, the future is now. The world is not waiting for us. The world we are in now is changing fast, and technological disruptions are high. Any institution that does not change gets left behind. Anyone who does not change gets left behind,” she said.
She lauded the Registry for embracing change and encouraged staff to see transformation as an opportunity for personal and institutional growth.
“I have seen the embracing of the different changes. Some of it is harder than others. So I want to encourage you. The change is for our good. The world is not waiting. As we change, we improve. We get better personally and as an institution. When we retire, we will be meeting the world because we’re better than what’s going on, and we can add value. We certainly will not be behind.”
Ogunsola also highlighted professionalism, accountability, and excellence as non-negotiable standards.
“Professionalism is the conduct, the behaviour, and attitude of someone in a work or business environment characterised by competence. You must know your work, be reliable; when you say you will be there, you are there. When things need to be done, you are doing them. And above all, respect for others. Also important is reliability, which includes accountability. You own up, you own what you do. There is no ‘they’ in that matter, it is always ‘we are the ones doing it,’” she said.
She added, “Excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good in performance, behaviour, or results. Doing your best to the highest possible standards, never settling for less. If it can be done better, that is what we choose to do.”
Ogunsola reminded staff that value creation is central to the university’s mission.
“The ability to do things well, to earn income, requires that you have something that you are bringing to the table. Nobody gives money or buys a service as charity. For all of us who work at the university, it is very easy to say that it is the University of Lagos’ business. But it is because of people like you, and I want to thank many of you, in fact, all of you, because we work under tough circumstances.”
Acknowledging challenges such as low salaries, she emphasised attitude and commitment over compensation.
“It is very easy to say our salary is low, they don’t appreciate us. You are fully appreciated. Our salaries are low, but I always believe, both in one’s personal life and in the system, you start where you are. There is no need to say, ‘Oh, I wish, I wish.’ This is where you are, that God has placed you. How can you make that position outstanding?”
She advised staff to embrace continuous learning and collaboration.
“When you are given a job, do it to the best of your ability. If you don’t know how to do it, ask somebody. When you do that, the whole system rises. And when the system rises, people come because they want to be a part of it. When you have value, money follows. But if the system falls while we are there, whether it is good or bad, we are going to have a challenge,” she said.
She also warned against sticking to comfort zones.
“If we choose not to change, maintain the comfort zone, saying I know everything that I need to know here, this is how I have always done it. Nothing good comes out of the comfort zone. Initially, it’s comfortable, but it means everybody leaves you behind. Regret is harder than ‘I wish I had.’”
Registrar Mrs Abosede Wickliffe commended registry staff for readiness to redefine administrative excellence, urging them to embrace innovation, creativity, agility, and accountability.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Lucian Chukwu, encouraged staff to leverage technology, be digitally literate, and uphold professionalism and teamwork.
Keynote speaker, Mr Akin Lewis, stressed the importance of continuous learning, digital literacy, and enforcement of institutional rules to restore the prestige and functionality of university systems.
The event also saw the launch of Sentinel, the UNILAG Registry’s new publication.
Dignitaries present included Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) Prof. Olumuyiwa Falaye; former UNILAG VC Prof. Rahaman Ade-Bello; ex-Registrar Dr Folasade Ipaye; former DVC Prof. Oluwole Familoni; Emeritus Prof. Babajide Alo; and former DVC (Management Services) Prof. Duro Oni.
