Governor presents N20 million to two first-class graduates as 20,604 students receive degrees at LASU’s 29th and 30th combined convocation.

Lagos State Governor and Visitor to Lagos State University (LASU), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rewarded the institution’s two best graduating students with N20 million each for their outstanding academic performances.

Sanwo-Olu announced the cash gifts on Wednesday during LASU’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo, Lagos.

The beneficiaries are Ayilara Lawal Olawale, who emerged as the best graduating student for the 2024/2025 academic session after earning a First Class in Project Management Technology with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.96, and Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide, the best graduating student for the 2025/2026 session.

Oluolamide graduated with a First Class in Aerospace Engineering, recording an impressive CGPA of 4.97.

A total of 20,604 students graduated during the combined convocation.

Sanwo-Olu urges graduates to give back

Addressing the graduands, Sanwo-Olu urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of LASU, Lagos State and Nigeria, stressing that their education should translate into solutions to real-life challenges.

He encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to improve society rather than allowing their certificates to become the end of their learning journey.

The governor also described the ceremony as a significant personal milestone, noting that it would be his last convocation as Governor of Lagos State and Visitor to LASU.

Reflecting on the university’s development, Sanwo-Olu said LASU had grown significantly since its establishment more than four decades ago by the late former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

According to him, LASU has become one of Nigeria’s most sought-after universities, attracting more than 84,000 applicants.

He also cited the institution’s ranking as the best state university in Nigeria and the best university in West Africa as evidence of its growth and academic progress.

Governor highlights LASU projects

Sanwo-Olu said his administration had invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities at the university.

Among the projects highlighted were a new university library described as the biggest university library in West Africa, a student union building described as the biggest of its kind in Nigeria, as well as new hostels and lecture halls.

He said the investments were aimed at improving the learning environment and supporting the university’s growth.

Dangote promises jobs for LASU engineering graduates

The convocation also featured the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on three prominent Nigerians: Aliko Dangote, Akin Kekere-Ekun and Bola Adesola.

Dangote, who was represented at the ceremony by his daughter, Fatimah, made a commitment that could provide a major boost for LASU’s engineering graduates.

She said the Dangote Group would offer employment opportunities to all LASU first-class engineering graduates after they complete the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

The promise was met with enthusiasm as the university celebrated its high-performing graduates and recognised the contributions of prominent Nigerians to society.

VC Olatunji-Bello bows out

The convocation also marked the end of the tenure of LASU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who delivered a farewell address at the ceremony.

Olatunji-Bello said her administration recorded improvements in academics, research and infrastructure during her tenure.

She also disclosed that the university’s internally generated revenue increased substantially, rising from N3 billion in 2021 to N13 billion in 2025.

Sanwo-Olu commended the outgoing vice-chancellor for what he described as the progress recorded by the institution under her leadership.

The ceremony brought together graduates, parents, academics, government officials, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of the graduating students and the university’s broader development.