Sanwo-Olu announces whopping cash reward of N10m to LASU best graduating student

The Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a whopping cash reward of N10million to the Best Graduating Student of the Lagos State University (LASU), Olaniyi Mubaraq Olawale.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the declaration on the finale day of the 27^th Convocation ceremony of the Lagos State University for the award of Doctoral Degrees (PhD), and Conferment of Honourary Doctorates, which took place at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU, at Ojo, on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Olawale, of the Accounting Education Department, obtained a CGPA of 4.98, First Class Honours.

The Governor said, “To celebrate and honor you, I am announcing a cash gift of N10million in recognition and honor of your outstanding feat. I believe that someone out there is working very hard to be the next Olaniyi Olawale, and I want to encourage you, wherever you might be now, to keep your eyes on that goal, and make us all, as well as yourself, very proud.

“As a society we have a responsibility to send a strong message out that academic excellence must never be underestimated or taken for granted in our society; our young people must see reason to hunger for it with the same energy and enthusiasm reserved these days for artistic and sporting success.

“It is crucial to recognize the enduring importance of education; its inestimable value as a major tool for addressing societal needs and human development,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

The governor reiterated the commitment of the state government towards ensuring the empowerment of state-owned tertiary institutions in the state. “Under my administration, the Lagos State Government is committed to empowering students in our state-owned tertiary institutions to unlock their full potential. We aim to foster a generation of innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and great leaders, who will drive sustainable development in Lagos State and beyond.

“To this end, we recognize that sustaining a world-class university requires significant financial investment. As we seek to surpass previous achievements and maintain the upward trajectory of the University's growth and development, we will live up to all our responsibilities, as envisioned by the founding fathers, and in accordance with our T.H.E.M.E.S Plus strategic governance agenda, which includes Education and Technology amongst its core pillars.

“We have prioritized the expansion of university infrastructure, providing financing for new projects like the Faculty of Management Sciences Complex, and a new Faculty of Education Building; as well as the new LASU Technology Hub, that are under construction,” he disclosed.

He also said the partnership with the private sector to actualize and deliver 8,200-capacity students’ hostel is also on course.

Earlier the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, disclosed that LASU achieved a significant milestone in the 2023/2024 Academic Session as the school admitted the first set of students into 20 approved programmes in five new faculties and schools namely: Faculty of Allied Health Sciences; Faculty of Pharmacy; Faculty of Environmental Sciences; School of Library, Archival and Information Science, the first in West Africa and Second in Africa and School of Tourism, Films, Performing Arts and Cultural Studies.

She spoke further on the achievements of the University “We also secured approval to mount Nine (9) additional courses for the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative STEM Education (ACEITSE) under the B.Sc Degree Programme; Still on the Africa Centre of Excellence, we quadrupled the Centre’s performance earnings (measured by the World Bank’s Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI) from less than 20% in September, 2021 to over 75% as at April, 2024), a feat that accorded commendation from the World Bank; We have elevated the status of the university to the third most subscribed university in Nigeria while sustaining our rankings for second time running as the best university in West Africa according to the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking. In addition, we maintained our status as the best State University and the 9th Overall Best University in Nigeria according to the highly credible AD Scientific Index Ranking;

“In the area of research and innovation, we strengthened our research and innovation drive by opening an Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Transfer Office under the Directorate of Research Management and Innovation, and trained our staff in Intellectual Property Management. All these efforts are geared towards driving and protecting innovative products, services and ideas amongst LASU staff and students that could add value to our society; Also, LASU has consistently been rated as the best in West Africa in the area of sustainability and green efforts since 2022. For this effort, LASU was selected as the Coordinating Centre and member of the Steering Committee of the University of Indonesia GreenMetric, the global ranking body for the practice of sustainability in the world,” she narrated.

Prof Bello also announced that that just a few days ago, the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment approved 5 trademarks for Lagos State University through LASU Center of Excellence for Sargassum Research (CESAR).

Professor Olatunji-Bello also appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu and other critical stakeholders of the institution for their commitments and supports to the university. “Let me appreciate Mr. Governor, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to the growth and development of our university. My appreciation also goes to the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Hamzat and Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Tolani Sule; the Chancellor, Professor Gbolahan Elias, SAN; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Sir David Sunmoni, FCA, KJW, all members of Governing Council, and well-meaning stakeholders.”

At the event, the Senate of the institution conferred the exclusive rank of Emeritus Professor on retired Distinguished Professor Martins Agenuma Anetekhai, and Distinguished Professor Award on highly accomplished Professor, Professor Amidu Olalekan Sanni.

In addition, Senate also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on two eminent Nigerians, Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Honorary Doctor of Literature (History, Education and Community Development), Honoris Causa; and Prince Dr. Samuel Adedoyin, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (Commerce, Industry and National Development) Honoris Causa.