Who Is Professor Folasade Ogunsola? Biography, Age, Real Name, Career, Family & Latest News
Professor Folasade Ogunsola is a Nigerian medical doctor, medical microbiologist, researcher and university administrator who made history as the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. She was appointed the institution’s 13th Vice-Chancellor in October 2022 and remains in the position in 2026.
Her public profile is rooted in medicine and higher education rather than entertainment. Over several decades, she has built a career around medical microbiology, infectious disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, research and university leadership. Before becoming Vice-Chancellor, she had already served as a professor, College of Medicine Provost, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor at UNILAG.
In 2026, interest in Professor Ogunsola has extended beyond her academic career. Her leadership at UNILAG, public comments on artificial intelligence in education, involvement in research and innovation, and recent professional recognition have kept her in the Nigerian public spotlight.
Who Is Professor Folasade Ogunsola?
Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola is a professor of medical microbiology and the current Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. She is the first woman to hold the university’s highest administrative position.
Her academic specialty is closely connected to infectious diseases, infection prevention and control, and antibiotic resistance. Her work has combined laboratory research, medical education, public health and university administration.
At UNILAG, her career included several leadership positions before she became Vice-Chancellor. She served as Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology, Provost of the College of Medicine, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development Services and Acting Vice-Chancellor in 2020.
That history is important when looking at her current role because her appointment in 2022 was not her first experience managing a major part of the university.
What Is Professor Folasade Ogunsola’s Real Name?
Her full name is Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola.
University of Lagos records identify her formally as Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS. Her professional qualifications include a doctorate, medical and pathology fellowships, and fellowships of scientific and medical organizations.
Claims about a different birth or maiden name have appeared in some biographical material, but the official UNILAG biography used for this profile does not establish such a name. For that reason, it is more accurate to identify her by the full name consistently documented by the University of Lagos.
How Old Is Professor Folasade Ogunsola?
Professor Folasade Ogunsola was born on November 14, 1958, in London, United Kingdom.
As of September 2026, she is 67 years old. She will turn 68 on November 14, 2026.
Her birthday has also coincided with an important moment in her university career. UNILAG reported that November 14, 2022, was both her birthday and her first work-week day as the institution’s newly appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Where Is Folasade Ogunsola From?
Although she was born in London, Professor Ogunsola was raised and educated largely in Nigeria.
Her early education took place in Ibadan and Lagos. She attended Maryhill Convent School in Agodi, Ibadan, and the Staff School of the University of Ibadan before moving to Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos.
Her father was the late Professor Akin Mabogunje, a prominent Nigerian geographer and academic associated with the University of Ibadan. Her upbringing therefore took place in an environment closely connected with scholarship and higher education.
Folasade Ogunsola’s Early Life and Education
Professor Ogunsola began her formal education in Ibadan. According to her University of Lagos biography, she attended Maryhill Convent School and the Staff School of the University of Ibadan between 1963 and 1969.
She subsequently attended Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, from 1970 to 1974, where she obtained her West African School Certificate with a Grade I result.
She later studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, graduating with an MBChB in 1982.
Her academic interests later moved toward medical microbiology. She earned a master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, with distinction in 1990.
She continued her postgraduate education at the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff. She obtained a Diploma in Biomedical Techniques in 1993 and completed her doctorate in 1998.
How Did Folasade Ogunsola Start Her Career?
Ogunsola’s professional career developed through medicine, medical laboratory science, teaching and research.
She joined the University of Lagos in 1995 as a Lecturer I. She was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1997, Associate Professor in 2004 and Professor in 2008.
Her academic work focused heavily on infectious disease prevention, infection control and antibiotic resistance. Rather than moving directly into university management, she spent years building an academic and research career before taking on some of UNILAG’s most senior administrative positions.
That progression eventually led her from the medical microbiology laboratory to the university’s top leadership office.
Folasade Ogunsola’s Medical and Research Career
Medical microbiology has remained central to Professor Ogunsola’s career.
Her research interests include the prevention and control of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. UNILAG’s official biography says she had 142 publications in academic journals and had co-authored four books on subjects including antibiotic resistance, infection control and HIV at the time of the biography’s publication.
She has also worked beyond the university. UNILAG identifies her as a consultant to the World Health Organization since 2009 and notes her involvement with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and other public health bodies.
Her public-health work included participation in efforts related to infection prevention and control. She was also a member of the Lagos State Think Tank on COVID-19 from 2020 to 2021.
Her research career has also involved postgraduate supervision. UNILAG’s biography records that she had supervised master’s students, PhD candidates and postgraduate medical fellows.
Folasade Ogunsola’s Career at the University of Lagos
Professor Ogunsola’s rise through UNILAG’s leadership structure took place over many years.
She served as Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology in the College of Medicine from 2009 to 2012. During the same period, she held leadership roles at MEDILAG Consult, first as Deputy Director and later as Director.
In 2013, she became the first female Provost of the University of Lagos College of Medicine, a position she held until 2016.
She was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development Services in 2017. During that period, she was involved in university development initiatives, including the institution’s International Week.
In 2020, she became the first female Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG during a period of institutional crisis. She served in that capacity from August to November 2020.
Her eventual appointment as substantive Vice-Chancellor in 2022 followed this earlier experience at the highest level of university administration.
When Did Folasade Ogunsola Become UNILAG Vice-Chancellor?
The Governing Council of the University of Lagos appointed Professor Folasade Ogunsola as the institution’s 13th Vice-Chancellor on October 7, 2022.
She became the first female Vice-Chancellor in the history of the University of Lagos. Her tenure officially began in November 2022, and UNILAG continues to identify her as its current Vice-Chancellor in 2026.
Her administration has emphasized research, innovation, infrastructure, digital transformation, partnerships and the development of graduates prepared for changes in the wider economy. UNILAG describes her agenda in terms of making the institution more future-ready.
What Has Folasade Ogunsola Done as UNILAG Vice-Chancellor?
Since taking office, Professor Ogunsola has overseen a university with a large undergraduate and postgraduate population while dealing with questions involving infrastructure, research funding, technology, staff development and institutional competitiveness.
One major event during her tenure was the university’s 56th Convocation in January 2026. UNILAG reported that 16,506 students were graduating across undergraduate, postgraduate and business-school programmes. The ceremonies also included the unveiling of a World Bank-supported multimedia library studio and other university projects.
Her administration has also pursued external partnerships. The university has continued to promote relationships involving research, education, technology and industry as part of its broader institutional development programme.
The leadership agenda has also placed considerable attention on research output. In June 2026, Ogunsola told academic staff that research, peer review and professional promotion were central to the university’s academic standards.
Folasade Ogunsola and Artificial Intelligence in Education
Artificial intelligence became one of Professor Ogunsola’s most visible public topics in September 2026.
On September 8, 2026, she delivered a guest lecture at Lagos State University’s 8th Research and Innovation Fair. Her presentation examined the opportunities, risks and ethical use of artificial intelligence in teaching and research.
Her message was that universities should use AI without allowing it to replace human reasoning. She cautioned students and educators against excessive reliance on assistive technology and stressed the importance of logical reasoning and critical judgment.
The subject fits closely with her current responsibilities as a university leader. As AI becomes increasingly common in research, writing, teaching and assessment, universities are having to determine how technology can be used without weakening independent academic work.
Folasade Ogunsola’s Professional Recognition and Achievements
Professor Ogunsola’s recognition extends across medicine, science and higher education.
She is a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and has also been recognized by major medical and scientific professional bodies. UNILAG records her as a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists in the United Kingdom and notes several other professional fellowships.
She also received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Her professional distinctions reflect a career that has moved between medical research, public health, teaching and institutional leadership.
Her research record is another significant part of her career. UNILAG’s published biography reported more than 140 academic publications and four co-authored books, as well as research and capacity-building grants attracted to the university.
In 2022, she was also featured among 23 outstanding African women in science in a United Nations Economic Commission for Africa publication.
Folasade Ogunsola’s Latest News in 2026
She Received an Honorary Fellowship from the International College of Dentists
One of the most recent developments involving Professor Ogunsola concerns the International College of Dentists.
UNILAG announced in September 2026 that she would receive an Honorary Fellowship (FICD) at the maiden continental convocation of the ICD’s Africa section. The ceremony was scheduled for September 14, 2026, at the University of Lagos.
The university said the recognition was connected to her contributions to academia, healthcare and professional development.
She Spoke About AI and Human Thinking
On September 8, 2026, Professor Ogunsola appeared at the Lagos State University Research and Innovation Fair, where she addressed the ethical use of AI in teaching and research.
Her remarks focused on maintaining human reasoning and critical judgment while universities adopt new AI tools.
She Continues to Lead UNILAG’s Development Agenda
Professor Ogunsola remains focused on the university’s research, academic and institutional development.
The university’s 2026 activities under her leadership have included major graduation ceremonies, research initiatives, infrastructure projects and discussions about how UNILAG can compete with universities internationally.
Her role therefore remains broader than ceremonial university leadership. Her background in medical research continues to inform a career now centered on managing one of Nigeria’s largest and most prominent universities.
Folasade Ogunsola’s Personal Life and Family
Professor Ogunsola is married and has children and grandchildren, according to the University of Lagos. The university also describes her as someone with interests that include music, travel and autobiographical books.
Her father, Professor Akin Mabogunje, was a respected Nigerian geographer and academic. That family connection to higher education forms part of the background to her own academic career.
Unlike entertainment personalities whose private lives frequently dominate media coverage, Ogunsola’s public profile has remained focused largely on medicine, research, education and university administration.
What Is Folasade Ogunsola Known For?
Professor Folasade Ogunsola is known primarily for her work in medical microbiology, infectious disease prevention, infection control, academic research and university leadership.
She is particularly notable in Nigerian higher education because she became the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
Her career also stands out for its unusual combination of scientific and administrative experience. She spent years working as a medical researcher and professor before moving into senior university management.
Her work with infectious disease control, research grants, postgraduate training and public-health organizations forms an important part of her professional record.
Frequently Asked Questions About Folasade Ogunsola
What is Professor Folasade Ogunsola’s real name?
Her full name is Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola. This is the name documented in University of Lagos records.
How old is Folasade Ogunsola?
She was born on November 14, 1958, making her 67 years old as of September 2026.
Where was Folasade Ogunsola born?
She was born in London, United Kingdom, on November 14, 1958. She was subsequently raised and educated largely in Nigeria.
Where did Folasade Ogunsola study?
She studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. She later earned a master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from the University of Lagos and completed postgraduate training at the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff.
What does Folasade Ogunsola do?
She is a medical doctor, professor of medical microbiology, researcher and university administrator. She is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
When did Folasade Ogunsola become Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG?
She was appointed the university’s 13th Vice-Chancellor on October 7, 2022 and became the first woman to hold the position.
What is Folasade Ogunsola’s area of specialization?
Her academic work is centered on medical microbiology, infectious disease prevention and control, antibiotic resistance and related public-health research.
Is Folasade Ogunsola married?
Yes. The University of Lagos identifies her as married and says she has children and grandchildren.
Does Folasade Ogunsola have children?
Yes. UNILAG’s official biography states that she has children and grandchildren.
What is Folasade Ogunsola doing now?
As of September 2026, Professor Ogunsola remains the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos. Her recent public activities include speaking about artificial intelligence and education, participating in university research and innovation activities, and receiving professional recognition.
What is Folasade Ogunsola’s latest news?
In September 2026, she was in the news for her planned and subsequently reported recognition by the International College of Dentists, as well as her September 8 address on responsible AI use in teaching and research.