To encourage academic excellence and reward outstanding performance, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has rewarded two best graduating students of Lagos State University (LASU) with N40 million.
The award went to Adebanjo Oluolamide, who emerged as the best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session with a CGPA of 4.96 and a First Class Honours degree in Project Management, and Ayilara Olawale, who was the best graduating student for the 2024/2025 session with a CGPA of 4.97 in Aerospace Engineering, also graduating with First Class Honours.
Sanwo-Olu said the N40 million, with N20 million going to each student, was intended to encourage them and other undergraduates to strive for academic excellence.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday during the university’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies at the LASU main campus in Ojo.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu described the occasion as both emotional and celebratory, marking the end of his tenure as Visitor to the university while celebrating LASU’s achievements and those of its graduating students.
He congratulated the 20,604 graduands from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, describing them as the largest graduating cohort in the university’s history.
Sanwo-Olu noted that 494 students graduated with First Class degrees, while 3,383 postgraduate students, including 238 PhD graduates, also received their degrees.
The governor praised the graduands for overcoming financial, personal and academic challenges and commended their parents, sponsors and lecturers for supporting them.
Reflecting on LASU’s development, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the contribution of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who established the university 43 years ago to expand access to higher education for Lagos residents.
He said LASU had grown into a leading institution, becoming Nigeria’s most subscribed university in 2025 and 2026, while also earning recognition as a top state university and a leading institution in West Africa.
He also highlighted LASU’s selection as the South-West host of the TETFund N3 billion Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences.
The governor said his administration had prioritised education and technology under the THEMES+ agenda, citing the construction of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, student union building, accommodation facilities, lecture theatres and other infrastructure at LASU.
He described the library as a lasting investment in the future of Lagos students and said the administration had expanded the state’s university system from one institution to three, with a fourth institution dedicated to medicine and health sciences being proposed.
Sanwo-Olu also praised the university’s leadership, academic and non-academic staff for their contributions to LASU’s development and achievements.
He congratulated the three honorary graduands, Akin Kekere-Ekun, Bola Adesola and Aliko Dangote, describing them as accomplished Nigerians whose contributions to banking, governance and industry demonstrated the heights the graduands could attain.
The governor urged the university community to remain united and ensure that future leadership protects and advances LASU’s achievements.
In his final charge, Sanwo-Olu urged the graduands to “be the proof” by demonstrating competence, character, courage and commitment to service.
He encouraged them to become worthy ambassadors of LASU, Lagos State and Nigeria wherever they go.
Reflecting on his relationship with the university, he recalled being honoured by students with the title “Baba Aluta of LASU” and said that while he would eventually hand over the responsibilities of office, he would never hand over his memories and affection for the institution.