Unijos Introduces Mentorship Programme to Promote Gender Equity and Inclusive Academic Space

UNIVERSITY OF JOS

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)

INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROTOCOL DIVISION

PRESS RELEASE

UNIJOS INTRODUCES MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE ACADEMIC SPACE

The University of Jos has introduced a programme aimed at improving Gender Equity and Student support through the promotion of Gender Justice in the Academia in order to help Female Students reach their full potential.

The initiative was unveiled through a University-wide training workshop tagged “Learning Empowerment and Development (LEaD) Mentorship Programme” which is a pilot programme that seeks to empower Female Students in the University by facilitating their academic, personal, and professional development through structured mentorship.

The pilot implementation phase began with the Department of Geography and Planning and is being coordinated by the University’s Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies, underlining the University’s position as the first Tertiary institution in Nigeria to introduce a Gender Policy. So far the programme has attracted Eighty-One (81) Academic Staff from 19 Faculties in the University, exhibiting a significant institutional commitment to the programme and demonstrating the University’s willingness to provide its Students with an inclusive Academic environment.

The training workshop provided the participating Staff with the information, capacity, and tools needed to serve as mentors under the LEaD framework undertaken through interactive sessions, case studies, expert-led discussions, and group projects geared toward mentoring Female Students in Higher Education.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Jos, Professor Rahila Gowon, who was one of the Facilitators, spoke on “Mentorship and Its Importance In a Social Set-Up”. Professor Gowon described the LEaD programme as timely because mentorship encourages collaboration over competition, builds support systems in male-dominated environments and strengthens institutional memory and continuity. She encouraged the participants to raise women who rise and raise others in order to address burnout and work-life balance challenges as well as promote a culture of excellence and mutual upliftment, noting that “Mentorship is not just about guiding careers – it is about shaping futures.”

Also contributing, Former Vice-Chancellor (Administration), University of Jos, Professor Teresa Nmadu noted that the mentor’s role typically includes sharing expertise, offering constructive feedback and helping the mentee navigate challenges. According to Professor Nmadu, the mentee benefits by gaining insights, developing skills and expanding their networks. She reiterated that "the mentor-mentee relationship is an evolving partnership grounded in purpose, trust and adaptability where the relationship is reassessed periodically to ensure its relevance and effectiveness based on the mentee's growth."

Renowned Scholar and Gender Advocate, Professor Irene Agunloye, stressed the significance of intentional, systematic, and value-driven mentorship in breaking down barriers like gender bias, low self-esteem, and academic under-achievement. Professor Agunloye, who is the Director, Centre for Gender and Women Studies, University of Jos, encouraged mentors to go beyond academic assistance by developing their mentees’ emotional intelligence, leadership abilities, and critical thinking.

In their welcome address, Coordinators of the Learning Empowerment and Development (LEaD) Mentorship Programme for Female Students in the University of Jos, Dr. Salamatu Fada and Dr. Tina Iirmdu, both of the University’s Department of Geography and Planning, explained that the programme aims to support academic, professional, and personal growth of the Female Students by pairing them

with Lecturers from their Departments. They expressed hope that the programme will boost the academic achievement, career readiness, self-confidence, leadership skills, and resilience of the Female Students as well as strengthen mentor-mentee relationships in the University.

Signed

Abdullahi Abdullahi

Senior Deputy Registrar (Information and Publications)