The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has announced the appointment of Dr. Abiola Akinyode-Afolabi as the Acting Director of its Safeguarding Centre, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for its academic community.
Dr. Akinyode-Afolabi, a seasoned legal scholar and human rights advocate from the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, steps into the role following the tenure of the pioneer Director, Professor Mopelola Olusakin. Her appointment will run from May 2, 2025, to May 1, 2026.
The Safeguarding Centre, established in May 2023, serves as a proactive mechanism for preventing abuse and protecting vulnerable groups within the university. Under the leadership of Professor Olusakin, a distinguished Professor of Counselling Psychology, the Centre laid a solid foundation for institutional safeguarding measures.
With nearly three decades of experience in gender equality, social justice, and democratic governance, Dr. Akinyode-Afolabi brings a wealth of expertise to the role. She is the founding director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), a frontline organization offering legal support to victims of gender-based violence. Her advocacy work extends beyond Nigeria, having recently been nominated to the United Nations Spotlight Initiative Global Reference Group.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated Dr. Akinyode-Afolabi on behalf of the university community, expressing confidence in her leadership and the positive impact she will make in the Centre’s ongoing mission.
With this appointment, UNILAG continues to position itself at the forefront of institutional safeguarding, rights protection, and academic leadership in Africa.
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