LASU’s top graduate gets N10m gift from Gov. Sanwo-Olu
…Marwa, Pedro bag honourary doctorate degrees
…As varsity graduates 11,917
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has rewarded academic brilliance with a N10 million cash prize to Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session. Nwosu, a Biochemistry student from the Faculty of Science, achieved an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during the 28th Convocation Ceremony of the university, held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium in LASU, Ojo. Represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the Governor applauded Nwosu’s achievement, describing her as a symbol of excellence and inspiration for the youth of Lagos State and beyond.
The convocation ceremony also featured the conferment of Doctorate Degrees, Honorary Doctorates, and Distinguished Professorships on deserving individuals. Among those recognised were Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.
Brigadier-General Marwa, a former Military Administrator of the State, received the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development), while Otunba Pedro was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development). Professor Joseph Abayomi Omoniyi Olagunju was also decorated with the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor.
Addressing the gathering of 11,917 graduates from various faculties, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Nigeria’s leaders to ensure that the country’s educational system remains practical, future-driven, and aligned with solving real-world challenges.
“Education remains the backbone of our society. We must acknowledge its vital role in driving progress and human capital development. As decision-makers, we have a duty to keep our educational system relevant and effective,” he said.
Underscoring the significance of academic achievement, Sanwo-Olu encouraged young people to view education as equally rewarding as success in entertainment, sports, or fashion. “It is up to us to nurture a culture that values knowledge and encourages innovation,” he added.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions. He stated that the goal is to produce innovative thinkers and future leaders capable of bringing about meaningful and lasting change.
To realise this, he said the State Government is scaling up its investment in educational infrastructure, prioritising the safety and welfare of students and staff, and implementing student-focused initiatives. One such initiative is the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL), designed to equip final-year students with employability skills and career-readiness tools.
“These measures reflect our firm commitment to elevating the academic environment in our state institutions and ensuring our students have the tools they need to succeed,” he said.
“We are determined to see LASU continue to grow—not just as a university, but as a transformative force in Lagos, Nigeria, and beyond.”
Reflecting on the achievements of LASU, Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the significant contributions of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, describing her leadership as instrumental in modernising university governance and enhancing the institution’s national and international standing.
Earlier in her remarks, Professor Olatunji-Bello thanked the Lagos State Government for its unwavering support of the university. She shared key accomplishments from the previous year, including the accreditation of 43 out of 44 academic programmes during the October–November 2023 evaluation period.
She also mentioned the launch of new postgraduate programmes at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education, marking the first time the Centre has hosted postgraduate diplomas, professional master’s, and academic master’s degrees, with participation from international students.
Delivering the welcome address, the Chancellor of LASU, Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), praised the university’s dedication to shaping visionary leaders. He encouraged the graduates to be proud ambassadors of LASU and to carry forward the values instilled in them.
“You represent not only yourselves but your families, your university, and your State. As you step into the world, be courageous, be innovative, and remain focused on your purpose,” he urged.
A total of 11,917 students graduated during the convocation, comprising 971 diploma holders, 8,711 undergraduate degree recipients, and 2,235 postgraduates. This includes 302 postgraduate diploma awards, 1,132 academic master’s degrees, 639 professional master’s degrees, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, and 37 professional doctorates across various fields of study.
