By Ejire Folakunmi
Lagos State University (LASU) on Tuesday welcomed its 6th and first Traditional Ruler Chancellor, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom in Epe Division of Lagos.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Visitor to the institution, presided over the investiture ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Alausa, where the traditional ruler was sworn in before members of the institution’s Governing Council, management, and fellow traditional rulers.
Under the law establishing the university, the Visitor is empowered to appoint a chancellor who shall hold office for 5 years and is eligible for reappointment for a second and final term of 5 years.
Exercising powers conferred on him by Section 1 of the First Schedule of the Lagos State University Law of 2004 (as amended), Sanwo-Olu appointed Ogunsanwo to succeed Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, who completed his term.
Ogunsanwo, a former Chairman of the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), becomes the first traditional ruler to hold the chancellorship position in LASU’s history.
Sanwo-Olu said the appointment was both deliberate and historic, noting that Ogunsanwo’s commitment to community development and his embodiment of integrity and cultural heritage made him qualified for the role.
“This appointment is both deliberate and historic. For the first time since the establishment of Lagos State University, a traditional ruler has been entrusted with the exalted office of chancellor. The appointment is deliberate because it reflects our recognition of the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in governance, social cohesion, and moral leadership,” the governor said.
“Oba Ogunsanwo’s emergence represents a convergence of tradition and modernity, which is an essential alignment for a society seeking sustainable progress. The office of the chancellor occupies a unique and revered place in the life of the university. It is a position that symbolises continuity, dignity, and the enduring values upon which the institution is built. Beyond its ceremonial significance, the chancellor serves as a moral compass, a custodian of tradition, and an ambassador of the university’s ideals,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu charged the new chancellor to uphold the dignity and traditions of the university while promoting unity among its governing organs, stressing that the public’s expectation is for him to sustain LASU’s position as a citadel of excellence producing academically sound, ethically grounded, and socially responsible graduates.
He further urged the chancellor to ensure the university continues to serve as a hub for policy-relevant research and a strategic partner in advancing solutions to contemporary challenges.
“This investiture marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of LASU, a chapter that, we are confident, will be defined by stability, growth, and renewed prestige. We will continue to provide the enabling environment necessary for the university to thrive, while also expecting the highest standards of performance and accountability from all stakeholders,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education Hon. Tolani Sule described the appointment as “a fusion of intellect, heritage and higher learning,” stressing that the chancellor would leverage his experience and connections to enable the university meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global knowledge economy.
“Kabiyesi comes at a critical and exciting time in the history of this great institution. The expectations are high, but so too is the confidence we repose in his leadership. His appointment brings forth a rare blend of traditional authority and modern insight that will undoubtedly strengthen the moral, cultural, and intellectual fabric of the university,” Sule said.
In his acceptance remarks, Ogunsanwo, who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Business Administration at LASU, promised to work harmoniously with the Visitor, the Governing Council, and university management to strengthen the values and traditions defining the institution’s aspirations.