To meet Professor Oyedunni Sola Arulogun is to encounter determination refined by discipline and vision sharpened by service. Her life story is not simply about climbing the academic ladder; it is about bending that ladder to make room for others—especially women—who dare to dream beyond limits. In every role she has assumed, from lecturer to administrator, from researcher to Vice-Chancellor, she has embodied a philosophy that true leadership is not measured only by personal accomplishments but by the opportunities one creates for others.
The second of five children, Arulogun was born into a family that valued education and discipline. Her father hailed from Awe in Oyo State and her mother from Ijebu in Ogun State. She began her educational journey at UMC Demonstration School, Molete, Ibadan, and proceeded to Federal Government Girls’ College, Bida, Niger State, for her secondary education. As a young girl, she dreamt of becoming a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, but life’s path soon revealed a calling that blended compassion with knowledge.
In 1984, she gained admission to the University of Ibadan (UI), where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Special Education, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH). Driven by curiosity and a deep commitment to community well-being, she pursued a PhD in Health Promotion and Education, which she completed in 1998.
Her professional career began at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where she worked as a speech therapist. Those early years exposed her to the realities faced by individuals with communication challenges, shaping her passion for inclusive health care. In 2002, she transitioned into academia as a lecturer in the Department of Health Promotion and Education, UI. A decade later, in 2012, she rose to the rank of Professor—becoming the first female Professor of Health Promotion and Education at UI.
Over the years, her research has covered a wide range of pressing issues: reproductive health among adolescents and persons with disabilities, gender and health promotion, stroke rehabilitation, speech development in children, and neglected tropical diseases. Her work is grounded in community realities, ensuring that her scholarship directly addresses the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations.
At UI, Professor Arulogun broke multiple barriers. She was the first female Dean of the Faculty of Public Health (2014–2016), the first woman to serve as University Orator (2023), and Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where she championed creativity and problem-solving among students. Her leadership style has always been inclusive, visionary, and anchored in service.
Her impact also extends beyond academia. Since 2016, she has chaired the Oyo State Advisory Committee on Neglected Tropical Diseases (OYSACON), advancing policies that target diseases affecting the poorest communities. Her voice and expertise continue to influence public health interventions across Nigeria and Africa.
In November 2024, her remarkable journey reached another milestone with her appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta. At the helm of the institution, she envisions a future driven by academic excellence, research relevance, and entrepreneurial innovation—values that align with global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges.
In every lecture she delivered, every policy she influenced, and every barrier she broke, Professor Arulogun has shown that true leadership is the art of opening doors for others. As she charts a new path at Chrisland University, her story stands as an invitation—to young women, to scholars, and to leaders everywhere—to believe that persistence and purpose can build futures far greater than we imagine.
