Enase Okonedo, the vice-chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 Harambee Award for the advancement and equality of African women, even as the university community celebrates with her.
The award was presented by the mayor of Madrid, who recognised the winner’s lifelong dedication to educating Africa’s future leaders, with a profound focus on empowering women through education.
Okonedo, upon receiving the award, said, “Education and family are fundamental to equality in Africa.”
As a distinguished economist, the vice-chancellor has consistently championed the importance of female leadership throughout her career.
Okonedo’s journey, marked by groundbreaking achievements such as being the first female dean of Lagos Business School and later the first female vice-chancellor of PAU, serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders across the continent.
“One of the biggest challenges has been operating in spaces where leadership is predominantly male. At times, I’ve had to demonstrate my competence more than my male colleagues to earn the same level of respect and recognition,” she said, highlighting the gender barriers she has faced.
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The vice-chancellor attributes her success to the values instilled in her by her family. “Everything I am today is due to the values I learned in my family. Coming from a large family of eight children, I’m the youngest of the siblings; I learned fundamental values such as care and concern for others, empathy, consideration, and acting altruistically, doing things that benefit both oneself and others.”
“Therefore, I could say that the foundation for my life’s passion that has led me to the positions of responsibility I have held was laid by my parents and my grandmother, and I owe them an immense debt of gratitude for having also raised me to be a staunch advocate for women’s rights.
“My parents firmly believed that women could contribute to the economic and social development of their families and our nation, and they taught me to believe in this,” she added.
Okonedo emphasises the importance of volunteerism and continuous self-improvement, when she said, “Get better at what you do, and you would be discovered.”
She explained that the prize money from the Harambee Award will be used to ensure the electricity supply to a vocational training school in Iloti, Nigeria, which further demonstrates her commitment to practical solutions for community development.
Throwing more light on her career trajectories and the importance of equality during Pan-Atlantic University’s International Women’s Day celebration; alongside notable figures such as Tosin Olaseinde, Sandra Iyoha, Bimbo Ige, and Ijeoma Onah, she participated in a panel discussion on ‘Career Growth and Financial Independence.’
At the event, she further emphasised the importance of volunteerism, continuous improvement, and overcoming gender barriers in leadership.
The 2025 Harambee Award not only celebrates Okonedo’s past achievements but also reinforces her ongoing commitment to advancing the equality of African women.
Her success story serves as a beacon, inspiring women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.
Pan-Atlantic University is an educational institution recognised for its commitment to professionalism, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, and academic excellence.
