NUL gets new VC

ROMA – THE National University of Lesotho (NUL) has appointed Professor Isaac Olusola Fajana as the new Vice-Chancellor. He replaces Professor Nqosa Mahao who resigned three years ago. Professor Fajana, who assumed duties on Monday, is the 10th NUL Vice-Chancellor. In her welcome remarks and on behalf of the NUL Council, the Chairman of NUL Council, Advocate Kuena Mophethe wished Professor Fajana well in his new assignment. Advocate Mophethe also praised Professor Kananelo Mosito for holding the fort as Vice-Chancellor since November 2019. She reassured Professor Fajana that she has the support of the management, staff and students. “By following the principles of good governance management, honouring the NUL Values, embracing equality and diversity as well as taking constructive criticism, you will be able to lead this university and take it to greater heights,” Advocate Mophethe said. “The university faces many challenges which are mostly finance-related but we are all here to support you to steer this ship to prosperity and good global standing,” she said. Professor Fajana said he appreciated Professor Mosito for being in charge and keeping the university professionally managed under his leadership. He acknowledged the financial and other constraints NUL is facing. “A university is always looked up to for solving problems of a community but the best way to achieve this is to start first by solving the university’s own problems,” Professor Fajana said. “With all the ingenuity that exists at NUL, we shall be able to overcome our obstacles, help Lesotho and the whole world while at the same time improving the quality of our programmes and maintaining the international rankings we aspire for,” he said. “With so many people from diverse backgrounds, a university is the best place to uphold the values of diversity, equality and inclusion to ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all to avoid prejudice and discrimination.” Born and raised in Nigeria, Professor Fajana holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Relations from the University of Lagos in 1991. He also holds a Master of Science in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the same university in 1985, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria acquired in 1981. He has vast teaching experience gained at several universities. He became a professor in 2002 and has held positions of Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer at the Joseph Ayo Babalola University from 2011 to 2018. Professor Fajana was the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Lagos from 2006 to 2007 and Head of Department for two terms in the same university. Professor Fajana is an acclaimed publisher who is also the current Chairman of the Planning and Implementing Committee of the Proposed Vision of the University of Ikogbo-Igbesa since 2019. He has been a member of the Council of the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and the Nigeria Industrial Relations Association since 1989. Staff Reporter