By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, and Visitor of the Lagos State University (LASU), on Wednesday announced a cash gift of N20 million each for the Best Graduating Student of the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 sessions.
The beneficiaries are Ayilara Lawal Olawale (2024/2025 Session), who graduated with a First Class Honour of CGPA 4.96 in Project Management Technology, and Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide (2025/2026 Session), who graduated with a First Class Honour with 4.97 CGPA in Aerospace Engineering.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the cash gifts during the 29th and 30th Combined Convocation ceremonies of the Lagos State University, held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Main Campus, Ojo on Wednesday.
The convocation also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on distinguished Nigerians, including Aliko Dangote, Akin Kekere-Ekun, and Bola Adesola.
The Governor charged the 20,604 graduands of the Lagos State University to be good ambassadors of the state-owned institution, Lagos State and Nigeria, urging them to deploy their knowledge, character and courage to solve problems and contribute meaningfully to society.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who described the ceremony as his sixth and final convocation as Visitor to the Lagos State University, said the occasion marked both a celebration of LASU’s achievements and his farewell to the university community.
Reflecting on LASU’s growth, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the university, established over 40 years ago by the administration of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande and founded on the vision of making university education accessible to Lagos residents, had since grown into a major university, recording significant achievements in student demand, rankings and research.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also highlighted infrastructure and educational investments made by his administration, including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, a student union building, investment in student accommodation and additional lecture theatres and halls.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further said his administration had expanded access to tertiary education by increasing the number of state-owned universities from one to three, with another specialised university for medicine and health sciences in the pipeline.
The Governor also urged corporate organisations, alumni and philanthropists to support LASU through endowments, research funding, scholarships and infrastructure development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, describing her tenure as a period of growth and increased visibility for the institution.
He noted that the convocation was also Olatunji-Bello’s final ceremony in office, meaning both their tenures were ending at the same ceremony.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also congratulated the three honorary graduands honoured by the university — Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun, Mrs Bola Adesola and Alhaji Aliko Dangote — describing their careers in banking, governance and industry as worthy examples for the graduands.
Speaking earlier, Chancellor of LASU, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, who presided over his first convocation ceremony, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for investment in education. He urged graduates to become creators of solutions rather than mere consumers of knowledge.
