UNILAG VC, PQC Urge Queen’s College Graduands to Break Barriers 

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, has urged the 2025 graduating class of Queen’s College Lagos, to take their destinies in their hands and become who they want to be despite limitations.

Ogunsola was a guest speaker at the recent graduation ceremony of the college with the theme ‘Breaking the Barriers’.

According to her, every girl that passes through the college has the DNA of a barrier breaker, as the school doesn’t just teach, but ignites the spirit.

She stated that the school also prepared the girls, not only for examination, but for impact.

Ogunsola, an old girl of the college added: “This is a time in our world  that needs the voices of women to be at the decision-making table, to bring pragmatic, inclusive and humane solutions to challenges that plague mankind.

Reflecting on the theme, she said that barrier breaker means “defying limits that others set for you. Do not accept limitations; it means saying yes to possibilities in a world that too often, says no, especially to young women. Infact, barrier breaking is about not staying on your lane, or becoming something that the world expects you to be.

“I call those voices Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS). These ANTS are your greatest barriers; and what do we do with ANTS? We step on them and move on,” the VC said.

Ogunsola stated that the college started off as a barrier breaker in 1927, through the efforts of the New Era Ladies Club, group of enlightened women, who argued that the same government that ventured into the provision of all boys secondary education must also have it replicated with the girls.

She noted that the world had created a box for women, without their consent and expected them to fit into them, adding: “being a female, has no bearing on our brains.”

According to her, when women earn, they reinvest into their families and communities, enabling change from the ground, up.

“It is in our DNA. When we say barrier breakers, we celebrate those who do not wait for permission to shine or soar. We honour those who push through expectations, doubts, silence and emerge as voice leaders and change agents and women are agents.

“You are smart, you are able and we need you. As you leave this gate, I challenge you to break new barriers. I know some of you will go into fields where women are underrepresented, technology, engineering, politics and space. Be the first, if you must.

“Never be the last and always leave doors open for others to follow and always carry the torch to pass on because every torch carried, is a light passed on,” Ogunsola stated.

In her farewell address, the Principal, Dr. (Mrs) Oyindamola Obabori lauded the efforts of the 376 graduating students, and the entire staff of the college in ensuring the end of a successful academic journey.

 She noted that the students had journeyed through challenges, both expected and unforeseen, and emerged stronger, wiser and ready. 

“Today is a day of joy and reflection. It is a day that marks both an ending and a beginning. 

“We gather to celebrate triumphs won, lessons learned and lives transformed. This ceremony is more than a tradition. it is a rite of passage, a symbol of courage and a testimony to growth.

“True to your theme: Barrier Breakers; you’ve broken through academic, personal, emotional and global barriers; not just passing through them, but rising above them.

“To the graduating class of 2025, I say congratulations. You entered Queen’s College with dreams in your hearts and questions in your minds. And now, you leave with knowledge, character and purpose. You have excelled in the classroom, on the stage, in laboratories, on the playing field and in leadership. 

“You have served, spoken, created and competed. You have grown into young women of vision, strength and integrity. You have indeed embodied our core values: Excellence, Continuity, Hard Work, and Integrity,” Obabori stated.

The principal also commended their parents and guardians for their sacrifices, prayers and partnership, that made the occasion possible.

 “You trusted us to nurture your daughters and together, we have shaped them into stars ready to shine in the world.

“To our ever-committed teachers and non-teaching staff: thank you. You have poured out your time, talent and hearts. Through late nights, extra lessons, patient guidance and steady encouragement, you have left lasting imprints on the lives of these graduates. You are the quiet heroes of this story.”

She then urged the graduands to go with confidence and conviction, as the world is vast and complex. “But you have been equipped with more than just academic knowledge. You carry within you the legacy of Queen’s College – a legacy of leadership, service, resilience and grace.

“In keeping with the spirit of your theme, I leave you with three final charges: Break barriers with vision. Let your imagination be unafraid. Dream big, pursue boldly and innovate passionately. The world needs your ideas and your courage.

“Break barriers with virtue. Let your values be your compass. In a world full of shortcuts, hold fast to integrity. Be kind. Be just. Be excellent.

“Break barriers for others. Lift others as you rise. True greatness is not in climbing the ladder alone, but in building bridges for others to follow.

“This is not goodbye; it is go forth. You will always be a part of this great Queen’s College family. Our doors remain open and our pride in you remains constant. Wherever you go, may you be remembered not just as a graduate, but as a Queen’s College barrier breaker – one who dared to dream, dared to do, and dared to make a difference.

“ I say with love and pride; Farewell. Godspeed. Break barriers. Shine on,” she said.

 The high point of the event was the lighting and passing on of the torch by the graduating students, as well as their induction into the Queen’s College Old Girls’ Association (QCOGA) by the President, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola.