In the last few decades, it has become the norm for public office holders to review and give account of their first 100 days in office. The importance of this review at that point in time cannot be underestimated. It serves as a critical gauge for leaders in the public space, a time to reflect on their early achievements, the challenges they had faced, the problems they expect to encounter and the direction they intend to move their organisations towards, in the future.
And so, for Professor Jacinta Agbarachi Opara, the first female Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University, Samonda, Ibadan, this checkpoint is not going to be a ceremonial cruise but a testimony, an account of what steps she had so far taken in her determination and commitment to transform Dominican University into a global beacon of innovation and academic excellence.
Soon after she was appointed Vice Chancellor of Dominican University on 1st July, 2024, Professor Opara vigorously embarked on a mission she was passionate about – to elevate the university to the level of a world renowned centre of learning, research, and community engagement. Her vision anchored on her five-point agenda on excellence in learning, teaching, research, industrialization and innovation. The agenda was not just a collection of lofty ideas but a well thought-out plan to address the grey areas that were most essential for the university’s growth and success. And it is encouraging that her plan has already begun to take shape, as evidenced by the initiatives she spearheaded in her first 100 days in office.
When she was sworn into office on 1st July, Opara said her administration’s intention was to exceed the horizon of existing academic programmes with the ability to integrate knowledge, professional skills, intellectual competencies and resource management in a co-ordinated programme to provide a holistic and strategic direction to the institution. She would achieve these feats by displaying resilience, championing intellectual skills, building critical thinking and constructive reasoning among the students and faculty, by rewarding resourcefulness, responsibility, accountability, transparency and, above all, integrity and excellence at the University with a view to alleviate dysfunctionalism in intellectual and development management.
In her inaugural speech on 1st July 2024, Professor Opara acknowledged the high standards set by her predecessor and expressed her determination to build upon this legacy. She emphasized her commitment to exceed the existing academic boundaries. This ambitious vision explains her resolve to lead Dominican University into a new era of academic excellence and institutional growth. But these, by any stretch of the imagination, are no mean feats. What have been the Professor’s challenges? How can we rate her achievements? And after-all, what are the future prospects of the young institution she now heads?
It is important we first appreciate right from the start that Professor Opara’s 100 days in office spotlight the key strategies she is already utilizing to realize her ambitious goals for Dominican University. The partnerships she has contracted, the innovative programmes she has introduced, their impact on Dominican University community on the one hand and the Ibadan community on the other hand, are all parts of her strategic vision. Through an examination of these strategies, we can come to comprehensively understand how Professor Opara is redefining leadership in higher education and setting new standards for academic excellence in Nigeria.
Secondly, Professor Jacinta Opara’s appointment as VC literarily marked an epoch in the young history of Dominican University and in the broader landscape of higher education in Nigeria. Being the first female academic to hold this position at Dominican University, Professor Opara’s appointment was not just a personal achievement but more importantly a symbol of women’s progress in their struggle for gender equality in the academic world, among other professional bodies. It reflected the growing recognition of women’s leadership capabilities in traditionally male-dominated fields, particularly in the Nigerian academic arena.
One of the most critical aspects of Professor Opara’s five-point agenda was enhancing the learning experience at Dominican. Appreciating the rapidly changing demands of the global labour market, she prioritized the expansion of academic programmes in such highly demanded fields as healthcare, analytics, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). These programmes were designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they needed to thrive in the 21st-century workforce.
In addition to expanding academic offers, Professor Opara introduced new delivery options and access points that cater for diverse student populations. These included the development of online and hybrid programmes which provided flexibility for working professionals, and initiatives to support first-generation and socially marginalized students. By offering alternative and affordable pathways to enrolment, degrees, and credentials, Dominican University positioned itself as a favourable destination of choice for students from all backgrounds through Opara’s ingenuity and leadership.
Central to Professor Opara’s vision of academic excellence was the role of faculty in delivering high-quality education. To this end, she implemented a range of initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering faculty members in their teaching roles. These included opportunities for continuous professional development, access to cutting-edge teaching resources, and the implementation of innovative pedagogical approaches that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
Within these 100 days of Opara’s leadership, Dominican University has strengthened its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its faculty. By encouraging an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and encouraged, the university has begun to create more enriching and dynamic learning experiences for its students. This approach does not only enhance the quality of education but also prepares students to thrive in a multicultural and interconnected world.
Knowing that research is the cornerstone of any leading academic institution, Dominican University under Professor Opara’s leadership, is now poised to make significant contributions to global knowledge through its research efforts. Her emphasis on research excellence greatly influenced the university’s commendable efforts to attract top-tier research talents, secure funding for research projects and engage in collaborations with leading academic institutions and industry partners.
Within her first 100 days in office, Professor Opara has already laid the groundwork for several key research initiatives, particularly in the fields of environmental health, ecology, and management, areas in which she herself is an expert. These initiatives are not only advancing the frontiers of knowledge but are also addressing critical societal challenges, such as climate change, public health, and sustainable development.
One other ambitious aspect of Professor Opara’s five-point agenda was her commitment to industrialization and commercialization. She appreciates that universities have a critical role to play in driving economic development by translating academic research into commercial products and services. To achieve this goal, Professor Opara has had to work tirelessly since her appointment to build strong partnerships with industry leaders, government agencies, and international organizations. These partnerships are designed to create a seamless pipeline from research to commercialization, ensuring that the innovations developed at Dominican University make a tangible impact on society. This approach not only enhances the university’s esteem but also provides students and faculty with valuable opportunities to engage with industry and gain real-world experience.
Already, Dominican University is actively working to commercialize its research outputs, translating academic discoveries into real-world applications that can benefit society. This focus on innovation and commercialization is a key component of Professor Opara’s vision for the university, as it not only enhances the institution’s reputation but also contributes to economic development and the social progress of the country.
But it does not end at that. Innovation has all along been at the heart of Professor Opara’s strategy for Dominican University. Recognizing that in today’s rapidly changing world, universities must be forward-thinking, she constantly sought new ways to solve problems and create value for the university community.
To maintain a culture of innovation, Professor Opara encouraged the community to embrace creativity, take calculated risks, and explore new ideas. One of the most notable examples of this spirit of exploration was the partnership between Dominican University and Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU). This collaboration, aimed at leveraging the strengths of both institutions to create new academic programmes, research initiatives, and community engagement projects, was designed to address the needs of the local and global communities. By working together, the two universities will not only be enhancing their own capabilities but also setting a new standard for academic collaboration in Nigeria.
To re-emphasize academic collaboration with Dominican University and strengthen institutional ties, Professor Opara also visited the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) in Ibadan on Wednesday August 14, 2024 where she held quality discussions with the Director-General of NISER, Prof. Anthonia Taiye Simbine, and other senior officials, exploring potential areas of partnership and knowledge sharing for mutual benefit between the two institutions.
“We are excited to explore opportunities for collaboration with NISER, a renowned institution in social and economic research,” Opara said, indicating that there was a need to encourage collaboration between both institutions in research, grant writing, resource support by the members of staff, among many other things. She noted that this partnership had the potential to drive innovation, improve research outcomes, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development agenda. And as such, the university was looking forward to a fruitful collaboration that would benefit both institutions and the nation at large.
The Director-General of NISER, Prof. Simbine, also expressed enthusiasm about the potential partnership: “We look forward to collaborating with Dominican University to advance research and development in Nigeria especially as we have so many other institutions locally and internationally that we work with.”
On behalf of the Programme Committee we are pleased to invite you to take part in the 2025 International Technology, Education and Environment Conference & Exhibition(TEEC2025) and 2025 International Conference on Teaching and Learning(ICTL2025) that will be held at FCT Education Resource Center, Abuja (Nigeria) on the 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th of February, 2025. TEEC2025 and ICTL2025 are international conferences, organized by the African Institute of Management, Technology and Development Studies, Dominican University, Ibadan-Nigeria; African Society for the Scientific Research (ASSR), Khartoum-Sudan, Avance International University, Kampala-Uganda and African Association for Teaching and Learning (AATL), Accra-Ghana. The mission of the conferences are to further the advancement and innovation in technology, education and environment. As the educational world becomes increasingly global, new ways to explore learn, and share knowledge are needed. The Conferences serve as a means to connect and engage creative technologists, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, consultants, training managers, policy makers, curriculum developers, and others in the topics and fields in which they are passionate about.
Apart from institutional partnerships, Professor Opara also prioritized the development of entrepreneurship programs that encouraged students to think creatively and pursue their perceived business ventures. These programs would provide students with the skills, resources, and support they need to turn their ideas into successful enterprises, thereby contributing to the growth of the local economy and the broader society.
In her first 100 days in office, Professor Opara made significant strides in this area, securing several high-profile partnerships to support the university’s industrialization efforts. These collaborations are expected to result in the development of new products, services, and technologies that will not only benefit the local community but also have global impact.
On Wednesday, 11th September, Professor Opara and her team paid a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi. Professor Opara consistently emphasized the importance of community engagement as a key component of her vision for Dominican University. She appreciates that the university has a responsibility to give back to the community and to contribute to its social and economic development. To this end, she launched several initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s ties with the local community and creating mutually beneficial partnerships with local organizations, schools, and businesses. One of the key areas of focus for Professor Opara is the university’s relationship with the Ibadan community. She appreciates that Dominican University is an integral part of the local landscape and that its success is closely tied to the well-being of the community. By working closely with local stakeholders, Professor Opara ensures that the growth and development of the university are aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people of Ibadan. These community engagement efforts are enhancing the esteem of the university and creating new opportunities for students and faculty to contribute to the growth of the local community. Through service-learning programs, community-based research projects and partnerships with local businesses, Dominican University is now making a more positive impact on the lives of people in Ibadan and beyond, under the leadership of Professor Opara.
At the heart of Professor Opara’s vision for Dominican University is a commitment to student success. She understands that the ability of students to persist and succeed in their studies is often influenced by a wide range of factors which include their social determinants of health, financial stability and access to resources. To address these challenges, Professor Opara implemented a holistic advising framework that provides students with the support they need to thrive academically, personally, and spiritually. This framework includes a range of wraparound services that address the diverse needs of students, from academic advising and tutoring to mental health counselling and financial aid. By taking a comprehensive approach to student support, Dominican University is not only improving retention and graduation rates but also ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.
In addition to providing direct support to students, Professor Opara has also prioritized efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive campus climate. These include initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, combat tribalism and discrimination, and build a sense of belonging for all members of the university community. By emphasizing the need for an environment where every student feels valued and supported, Dominican University is now able to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potentials. On Thursday September 5, 2024 the Vice Chancellor Dominican University Ibadan-Nigeria Prof Jacinta Opara paid courtesy visit to the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology. During the visit, the Vice Chancellor engaged with the Director General of NISLT on various areas of collaboration and partnership between the two institutions.
In today’s digital age, access to technology is a critical determinant of academic success. Appreciating this fact, Professor Opara made it a priority to address the digital divide and ensure that all students at Dominican University are able to access technology tools and services they need to succeed. These include efforts to provide students with laptops, internet access, and other essential technology resources, as well as initiatives to enhance the university’s digital infrastructure. These efforts are particularly important for first-generation or socially marginalized students who may face serious hurdles in accessing digital tools. In such a way, Dominican University is able to level the playing field and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
As Professor Jacinta Opara clocked the 100-day mark in her tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University on 9th October, it was clear that she has already made significant progress in realizing her ambitious vision for the institution. Through her five-point agenda, she has laid the foundation for a new era of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement at Dominican University. However, her work is far from complete, and the coming years will undoubtedly usher in new challenges and opportunities as she continues to lead the university toward its designed destination.
Looking ahead, one of the key challenges for Professor Opara would be how to sustain the momentum she has built in her first 100 days and to ensure that the initiatives she launched continue to deliver results. This would require ongoing collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Another key priority for Professor Opara would be to expand the university’s global reach and to position Dominican University as a leader in international education and research. This would involve strengthening existing partnerships with international institutions, as well as forging new collaborations that enhance the university’s global profile and provide new opportunities for students and faculty.
Professor Opara would need to remain focused on the university’s core mission of providing high-quality education that prepares students for success in their careers and in life. This would require ongoing efforts to enhance academic programmes, support faculty development, and provide students with the resources and support they need to thrive.
Professor Opara’s first 100 days in office as the Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University have been marked by significant achievements and a clear vision for the future. Through her five-point agenda, she has demonstrated her commitment to transforming Dominican University into a centre of excellence in learning, teaching, research, innovation, and industrialization. Her leadership has already made a positive impact on the university and the broader community, and, understandably, the coming years hold great promises for continued growth and success.
As she looks to the future, Professor Opara assures stakeholders that her leadership will be guided by the principles of accountability, integrity, and a deep commitment to the university’s mission. By staying true to these values, she would continue to lead Dominican University toward a brighter future, ensuring that it remains a destination of choice for students, a leader in academic innovation, and a vital part of the Ibadan community. The first 100 days are just the beginning, and under Professor Opara’s leadership, the future of Dominican University looks brighter than ever.
About that, she says her plan is “to conduct my work according to the dictates of the rules (policies), timing and budget framework. My academic and professional skills as a VC would be to ensure that the nature, scope and contents of my administration, works, conduct and responsibilities should lay emphasis on innovation, communication, change, sustainability, culture, interdisciplinary skills and teamwork.
“A successful path through the next five years will definitely require the dedicated and committed efforts of every one of us. Therefore, I will rely heavily on our collective wisdom and actions to make DUI a World-Class University. I shall draw inferences from my local and international academic and professional experiences to promote academic excellence. This event today actually reminds me my days as a foreign student and academics, how I felt out of place culturally, linguistically, and academically. Not only did I feel personally cast adrift, this feeling also pervaded my academic experience. But it was through forming connections with others, that I overcame this sense of otherness. The bonds of friendship which we developed during that time, are still strong, and are still so significant to us. By creating and ensuring a positive and inclusive organizational culture and good working environment, we shall all realize a shared vision. ‘Together we win’.
