Sanwo-Olu Gifts LASU Best Graduating Student N10 Million

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has awarded a cash prize of N10 million to Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the best graduating student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Nwosu, a Biochemistry graduate from the Faculty of Science, achieved an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.

The Governor made the announcement on Thursday during LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, which took place at the Buba Marwa Auditorium in Ojo.

The event also featured the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Distinguished Professorships on several prominent individuals, including the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.

Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), a former military administrator of Lagos State, was conferred with a Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development) Honoris Causa.

Otunba Olufemi Pedro received a Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development) Honoris Causa.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the critical role of education in driving societal development.

“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognise its importance in addressing societal needs and human development,” he said.

He stressed that academic excellence should be held in the same regard as achievements in entertainment, fashion, or sports.

“It’s our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation,” the Governor said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions by continuing to invest strategically in education and infrastructure development.

“We are committed to providing more significant financial investment towards expanding infrastructure within and around, ensuring the safety and welfare of the staff and students of the University,” he said.

The Governor also referenced the THEMES+ agenda, emphasizing that education remains a central focus of his administration. He highlighted initiatives like the Job Initiative Lagos, aimed at improving the employability of final-year students in state-owned institutions.

“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students of this University, providing opportunities for educational advancement to indigenes and residents of our dear Lagos State,” he added.

She revealed that 43 out of the 44 courses offered at Lagos State University were accredited during the October–November 2023 accreditation exercise.

She further announced that the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education had launched new postgraduate programmes, which, for the first time, enrolled international students.

In his address, the Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), urged the graduating students to be exemplary ambassadors of the university.
“You are not only representing yourselves but also your families, your university, and your state,” he said, encouraging them to stay innovative and focused as they move forward in life.

A total of 11,917 students graduated during the convocation ceremony. This included 971 Diploma holders, 8,711 first-degree graduates, 2,235 Postgraduate students, 302 with Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,132 with Academic Masters, 639 with Professional Masters, 125 PhD recipients, and 37 holders of Professional Doctoral Degrees.