Students of the University of Ibadan were on Monday inspired by a stimulating lecture on leadership delivered by the First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, at her Department of Educational Management.
Dr. Oyebanji, who taught the course Leadership in Formal Organizations (Course Code EME 304), spoke on the topic “Characteristics of a Principal as a Leader.” She emphasized that leadership in schools goes beyond administrative functions, describing it as both a responsibility and an influence that shapes institutions and the lives within them.
According to her, principals must demonstrate a range of qualities to succeed as leaders. These, she said, include the ability to exhibit genuine leadership, adaptability in dealing with people, balancing tough love with earned praise, fairness and consistency, organizational skills, preparedness, excellent listening ability, and visionary thinking.
Drawing on international perspectives, Dr. Oyebanji also referenced the leadership qualities of Sargent Shriver, urging students to learn from global examples of value-driven and service-oriented leadership.
The lecture was highly interactive, with students eagerly contributing practical examples from their school experiences to illustrate the concepts discussed. The engaging approach, they noted, made the session both relatable and thought-provoking.
Reacting after the class, some students described the lecture as “eye-opening” and “inspiring,” praising Dr. Oyebanji for bridging theory with practice in a way that deepened their understanding of leadership.
“At the end of the lecture, it was clear that Her Excellency had not only imparted knowledge but also stirred in us a renewed sense of responsibility to embrace leadership with fairness, vision, and empathy,” one of the students remarked.
Dr. Oyebanji’s return to her department at Nigeria’s premier university, reflects her enduring commitment to education, capacity building, and the grooming of the next generation of leaders.