“Degrees open doors, only service builds a name” — Sanwo-Olu tells LASU graduands

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

Lagos State Governor and Visitor to the Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has charged the institution’s 20,604 graduands to look beyond their certificates and build lives defined by competence, character and service.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Wednesday at LASU’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo, marking his sixth and final convocation as Visitor to the university.

Addressing the graduands, the governor said their degrees should serve as a foundation for meaningful contributions to society, urging them to become worthy ambassadors of the university, Lagos State and Nigeria.

“Degrees open doors, but only service builds a name,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu urged the graduands to demonstrate the quality of their education wherever they found themselves, challenging them to prove that graduates of a state university could compete with institutions anywhere in the world.

“Go, and be the proof. Be the proof that a state university can out-think, out-work and out-build any institution anywhere in the world,” he added.

The governor congratulated the 20,604 graduands of the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, describing them as the largest graduating cohort in LASU’s history.

He disclosed that 494 students graduated with First Class honours, while 3,383 postgraduate students, including 238 PhD graduands, also completed their programmes.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted the growth of LASU under his administration, noting that the university had emerged as Nigeria’s most subscribed university for two consecutive years, while also recording strong performances in national and international rankings.

He also cited investments in infrastructure, including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, student accommodation, lecture theatres and the student union building.

The governor further noted that Lagos had expanded its university system from one institution to three under his administration, with a proposed university dedicated to medicine and health sciences in the pipeline.

He commended the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, and urged the LASU community to remain united as a new leadership takes over.

Sanwo-Olu, who recalled that LASU students had honoured him with the title “Baba Aluta of LASU”, said his departure as Visitor would not end his connection with the institution.

“I left my heart on this campus a long time ago. I am not asking for it back,” he said.

As Sanwo-Olu took his final bow as Visitor, he left the graduating class with a charge that placed the responsibility of turning their LASU education into lasting impact firmly in their hands.