Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session, has been awarded a cash prize of N10 million by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Nwosu, who graduated from the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, with a remarkable Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93, received the reward during LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo.
The convocation ceremony featured the conferment of doctoral degrees, honorary doctorates, and distinguished professorships. Among the honorees were the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), and the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.
Brigadier-General Marwa, a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development), while Otunba Pedro, a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), was awarded the degree of Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development). Professor Joseph Abayomi Omoniyi Olagunju was also honoured with the prestigious rank of Distinguished Professor.
Speaking at the event, which celebrated the graduation of 11,917 students across various faculties and departments, Governor Sanwo-Olu—represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat—emphasised the importance of sustaining a relevant and effective educational system in Nigeria.
“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognise its importance in addressing societal needs and fostering human development,” the Governor said. “As leaders, we must ensure our educational system remains capable of delivering innovative solutions to real-life challenges.”
He further stressed the need to value academic excellence alongside achievements in fields such as entertainment, fashion, and sports. “It’s our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation,” he added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions, with the goal of nurturing innovative thinkers, problem-solvers, and transformative leaders who can drive sustainable development in Lagos State.
To support this mission, he said, the government is investing significantly in expanding infrastructure and ensuring the safety and welfare of both students and staff at LASU.
Highlighting the importance of education in his administration’s THEMES+ agenda, the Governor noted that numerous youth development programmes and initiatives such as the Job Initiative Lagos (JIL), designed for final-year students have been implemented to support student success and employability.
“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students of this university, and to creating opportunities for educational advancement for both indigenes and residents of Lagos State,” he said. “We will continue to prioritise the welfare of LASU’s staff and students, ensuring the university thrives for the benefit of the community, the state, and the nation.”
Reflecting on the achievements of the 11,917 graduates from the 2023/2024 academic session, Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged their years of dedication and hard work, describing the milestone as both the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another filled with promise.
He also praised the university’s accomplishments under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who, he said, has brought a refreshing and innovative approach to university administration, earning LASU both national and international recognition.
In her address, Prof. Olatunji-Bello commended the Lagos State Government for its exceptional support of the university. She noted that 43 out of LASU’s 44 academic programmes were accredited during the October–November 2023 evaluation period. Additionally, she highlighted that the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education recently launched postgraduate diplomas, professional master’s, and academic master’s programmes involving international students—marking a first in the centre’s history.
In his welcome address, LASU Chancellor, Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN), described the convocation as a celebration of excellence and a testament to the university’s dedication to developing future leaders. He urged graduates to be proud ambassadors of the institution and to carry the values of creativity, innovation, and perseverance into the wider world.
In total, the university graduated 971 Diploma students, 8,711 undergraduate students, 2,235 Postgraduate students, 302 Postgraduate Diploma recipients, 1,132 Academic Master’s graduates, 639 Professional Master’s graduates, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) recipients, and 37 Professional Doctorate degree holders across various disciplines.
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