Women in Academic Arena: Struggles,Strategies and Personal Choices

Gender issues have been a research concern within the education community at all levels in the last few decades as education is regarded as a critical tool in development and the most effective tool to empower women to be able to live a more productive life as they access higher education. Despite the increase in access to higher education and women being in the majority in the teaching profession; it is still a herculean task for women attain top management positions especially in African universities because of cultural factors and patriarchal system of leadership. This situation is often described as a “chilly climate” due to both overt and covert behaviours and systemic barriers that needs attention. This paper therefore highlights the narrative stories of women leaders in Tai Solarin University of Education, in Nigeria where the researcher works as told by selected women leaders of their struggles, challenges and choices in the course of duty.