Professor Lillian Salami Takes the Mantle of Leadership of UNIBEN as She was Swear In as Substantial Vice Chancellor

Two months after she was pronounced the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs) Lillian Salami was eventually take the mantle of leadership of the prestigious University of Benin (UNIBEN) when she was swear in as a substantial Vice Chancellor at her inaugural ceremony which was held yesterday in the university main auditorium.

The appointment of Professor Lillian Salami was imperative for her to take over from the VC Professor Faradal  Osasere Orumwense who was retiring from the office.

The decision to appoint Professor Salami as the 10th Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN was taken at the 157th regular meeting of the institution  Governing Council having earlier performed excellently in a test conducted for some of the aspirants jostling for the position. She came second in the test only behind Professor McDonald Idu.

By becoming the substantial Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Salami becomes the second female Vice Chancellor of the institution only behind Professor Alele William, a Professor in Mathematics who was in the office in 1985. This achievement make UNIBEN the only university in Nigeria that has produced two female Vice Chancellors. The appointment also make her the first UNIBEN Alumnus to be so occupied the exalted seat.

At the swearing in which was witnessed by the Deans of faculties, Directors of private and government organisations, students of the institution, family and friends of the Professor and the general public saw Professor Faradal presenting the newly appointed Vice Chancellor to the school community having earlier given a short farewell speech .

Before becoming a Vice Chancellor Mrs  Lillian I. Salami, a Professor of Home Economic and Nutritional Education was Director General/ Chief Executive of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), Ondo State.

After her Doctorate Degree programme in 1994, she was appointed a senior lecturer with the University of Benin and was subsequently made head of a Department between 1996 and 1998. She did her Post-graduate Diploma in Education at UNIBEN in 2001 and she becomes a Professor in 2006.

Until her present appointment she was the immediate past Dean of Faculty of Education, University of Benin, making her the first female Dean of the faculty.

Professor Lillian Salami is from Edo State. She is married and blessed with lovely children.