*Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the 28th Convocation Ceremony of the Lagos State University, Ojo, restates education is the ‘backbone of the Nigerian society’, urging leaders and the academia to provide innovative solutions to national challenges, as the University churns out 11,917 graduands

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As the Lagos University University (LASU) held the grand finale of its 28th Convocation Ceremony Thursday, April 10, 2025, on the main campus in Ojo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stressed that education remains the backbone of the Nigerian society.

绿帽献妻 reports Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his address as the Visitor to the University, urges leaders and the academia to recognise the central importance of education in addressing societal needs and human development in the West African society.

Represented at the well-attended and colourful ceremony by Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Sanwo-Olu also announced a gift of N10 million for Miss Nwosu Isioma Sybil, the overall best graduating student of Lagos State University in the 2023/2024 academic year.

The Honorary Doctorate Degree Awardees, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, LASU top officials, and some highlights of the Convocation Ceremony, in Lagos

Nwosu bagged a First Class Honours in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93 of possible 5.0.

Describing Miss Nwosu鈥檚 feat as a source of pride to the entire University community, Sanwo-Olu emphasised that her academic feat was a result of dedication and perseverance.

Delivering the address, Dr. Hamzat called the graduand and said: 鈥淵ou are very brilliant; your exceptional academic achievement is a fine example.

“And you know that last year, the best student got an award of 10 million Naira, so you will get the same 10 million Naira.鈥�

Lagos Governor’s charge to PhD graduands

The University, at the 28th Convocation Ceremony, churned out graduates in 971 Diplomas, 8,711 First Degree programmes, 2,235 Postgraduate students, 302 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,132 Academic Masters, 639 Professional Masters, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs), and 37 Professional Doctoral Degrees in various fields of learning.

Photo collage of Dr. (Pas.) Mrs. Christianah Ojuolape Adeola, a graduate of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Educational Administration (right), with some family members, friends, and well-wishers at the LASU Convocation Ceremony, in Lagos

The Governor of Lagos State used the occasion to restate the Lagos State Government鈥檚 (LASG) commitment to providing quality education for youths to evolve innovative solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

He further said: “As leaders, we must ensure our educational system remains relevant and effective in providing innovative solutions to real-life problems.”

Referring to the Doctor of Philosophy awardees, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “To our PhD graduands, your courage and resolve to pursue the pinnacle of academic achievement are truly admirable.

“Having demonstrated exceptional dedication and intellectual rigor, you are now poised to make lasting impact on society.

“I implore you to continuously strive to push the boundaries of human knowledge and achievement.”

On LASG鈥檚 partnership with NELFUND for youth development

Underlining the strategic importance of academic excellence, he averred Nigerian youths must be reminded that excelling in education is just as valuable as success in the entertainment industry, fashion, sports, other areas of human endeavour.

The governor equally disclosed the Lagos State Government (LASG) is working with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ensure students of Lagos State-owned institutions benefit from the new national student loan programme.

Sanwo-Olu declared: It鈥檚 our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation.”

According to him, this is to make higher education more accessible and encouraging for indigenes and resident-students in the cosmopolitan state, in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu stated: 鈥淥ur administration is dedicated to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions, nurturing innovative thinkers, problem-solvers and great leaders who will bring about sustainable, transformative change and growth to our state.”

Investments in infrastructure, staff and students’ welfare, by Sanwo-Olu

In accomplishing this, the Lagos Governor said to build on past successes, the state government is committed to providing more significant financial investment towards expanding infrastructure within and around, ensuring the safety and welfare of the Staff and students of the University.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted his administration’s THEMES+ development agenda as regards prioritising education in the Lagos State.

He further disclosed the government has produced innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and great leaders through access to various youth development programmes and initiatives for students, such as the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL), a job employability initiative organised for final-year students.

He stated: 鈥淭hese efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of Staff and students of this University, providing opportunities for educational advancement to indigenes and residents of our dear Lagos State. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the welfare of the Staff and students of the University is prioritised.”

The governor noted: “This, we believe, will ensure that LASU thrives for the benefit of the surrounding community, the state, and Nigeria as well.”

Addressing the total 11,917 graduates from the 2023/2024 academic session, who reached a milestone, Governor Sanwo-Olu averred their graduation represented a culmination of years of dedication and hard work.

The moment of their convocation ceremony signified the closure of one significant chapter in their lives, and the commencement of another, filled with promises and opportunities, said he.

Honorary Doctorate Degrees for Marwa, Pedro as Olagunju becomes ‘Distinguished Professor’

One of the highpoints of the state-owned University’s 28th Convocation Ceremony was conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development) Honoris Causa on Otunba Femi Pedro, ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State; and Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development), Honoris Causa on Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

LASU also honoured Prof. Joseph Abayomi Olagunju with conferment of the esteemed rank of “Distinguished Professor”.

Acknowledging the particular contributions of Brig.-Gen. Marwa and Otunba Pedro to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria in general, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated in his address: 鈥淵our wealth of experience, exemplary leadership, and innovative spirit serve as a beacon of inspiration and have earned you a place among the most revered individuals in our society. “These Honorary Degrees serve as a testament to your unwavering commitment to positive change in the state and nation at large.”

LASU VC applauds Sanwo-Olu

Earlier in her welcome address at the ceremony, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Lagos State University, highlighted her achievements since she assumed office in the institution.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello noted her leadership’s commitment to taking LASU to enviable heights in the education sector of the country’s economy.

The Vice-Chancellor revealed that 43 out of 44 of the University’s courses of study were accredited between October and November 2023.

She mentioned the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education, commencement of Postgraduate Diplomas, Professional Master’s, and Academic Masters for the first time in the history of the programme.

Prof. Olatunji-Bello stated 鈥渢he programme involves international students.鈥�

The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu, Management and Staff of the University for their support and cooperation in piloting affairs of the academic institution.

Prior to the ceremony, she had told reporters during a press conference that 鈥渁mong the 8,711 students graduating with First Degree programmes form the University, 192 came out with First Class Honours and 17 with Unclassified (MBBS/BDS) Degrees, 3,076 graduated with Second Class Upper Division, 4,397 with Second Class Lower Division, 990 with Third Class and 39 with a Pass.

She said: “I am delighted to announce Nwosu Isioma Sybil as our overall best graduating student.”

Likewise, in his welcome address Thursday, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), Chancellor of (LASU, said the celebration and recognition of the graduands reflected a testament to the University鈥檚 dedication to nurturing great leaders in the country.

Encouraging graduands to be good ambassadors of the University, Prof. Elias urged them to remember that they are not only representing themselves but also their respective families, but also the University and Lagos State as they go forward to do exploits.

The Chancellor also charged them to be innovative, creative, and focused in their pursuit of success in the world.

Additional reporting by Gbenga Kayode.

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