 held its 28th Convocation Ceremony on Thursday at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo Campus.){kind=link}
The Lagos State University (LASU) held its 28th Convocation Ceremony on Thursday at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo Campus, where a total of 11,917 graduates were conferred with various academic degrees across faculties and departments.
In a landmark moment, Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, emerged as the Best Graduating Student for the 2023/2024 academic session, earning a CGPA of 4.93. In recognition of her achievement, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a cash gift of N10 million, presented during the ceremony.
The convocation also witnessed the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees and the title of Distinguished Professor on distinguished individuals. Among the honorees were the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.
Brigadier-General Marwa, a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development), Honoris Causa, while Otunba Pedro received Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development), Honoris Causa. Additionally, Professor Joseph Abayomi Omoniyi Olagunju was bestowed with the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Governor Sanwo-Olu charged Nigerian leaders and the academic community to ensure that the educational system remains relevant in addressing modern-day societal challenges.
“Education is the backbone of our society. We must ensure our system continuously evolves to deliver innovative solutions to real-life problems,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to shift societal values, urging leaders to remind young people that academic excellence is as valuable as success in entertainment, fashion, and sports.
“It’s our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned institutions by nurturing innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and visionary leaders who will drive sustainable and transformative growth across Lagos State.
He outlined the government’s continued investment in infrastructure development, staff and student welfare, and educational initiatives, including the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL)—a programme aimed at enhancing employability for final-year students.
“We remain dedicated to supporting LASU and ensuring it thrives—not only for the benefit of its immediate community but for Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole,” the Governor said.
Reflecting on the scale of the convocation, he described the graduation of 11,917 students as the culmination of years of discipline and hard work, representing both the conclusion of one journey and the beginning of a new chapter filled with promise.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised the institution’s progress under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, whose innovative approach has elevated LASU to greater national and international prominence.
In her address, Prof. Olatunji-Bello commended the state government for its consistent support and shared key milestones, including the accreditation of 43 out of 44 courses in late 2023. She also noted the advancement of LASU’s Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education, which recently commenced postgraduate diploma, professional master’s, and academic master’s programmes—now enrolling international students for the first time.
In his welcome address, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), LASU Chancellor, congratulated the graduates and reminded them of their roles as ambassadors of their families, university, and Lagos State. He encouraged them to remain innovative, creative, and focused as they pursue future endeavors.
The breakdown of the graduating class includes:
971 Diploma students
8,711 First-degree students
2,235 Postgraduate students, comprising:
302 Postgraduate Diplomas
1,132 Academic Masters
639 Professional Masters
125 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
37 Professional Doctoral Degr