Sanwo-Olu Urges MIVA Graduates to Embrace Innovation, Entrepreneurship

Sanwo-Olu Urges MIVA Graduates to Embrace Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Says Education No Longer Confined to Classrooms
Sanusi II Advocates Girl-Child Education

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the pioneer graduating class of MIVA Open University, describing their achievement as evidence that technology is dismantling traditional barriers to higher education and creating new opportunities for learners, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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Speaking at the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, the governor said the event represented not only the graduation of the university’s first set of students but also the realisation of a vision aimed at making quality education more accessible, flexible and responsive to the needs of the modern world.

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Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, commended the graduands for their resilience, discipline and determination, describing them as pioneers of a learning model that is reshaping higher education in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu Urges MIVA Graduates to Embrace Innovation, Entrepreneurship

“You are more than graduates; you are trailblazers. Your success has shown that learning can thrive beyond the traditional classroom and that technology can open doors to knowledge and opportunities for countless others,” he said.

The governor praised the founders and management of MIVA Open University for embracing innovation and digital learning, noting that the institution’s growth demonstrates what can be achieved when vision is matched with purposeful execution.

According to him, the university’s technology-driven approach aligns with the Lagos State Government’s goal of building a knowledge-based economy anchored on innovation, creativity and human capital development.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted several state initiatives targeted at youth empowerment, including Lagos Innovates, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, which are designed to equip young people with skills, resources and leadership capacity for a rapidly evolving digital economy.

He encouraged the graduates to pursue entrepreneurship, innovation and lifelong learning, urging them to remain adaptable and committed to integrity.

“The future belongs to those who are adaptable, creative and willing to learn, relearn and innovate. Rather than waiting for opportunities, be prepared to create them. Let integrity guide your decisions because character remains the foundation of enduring success,” he advised.

The governor also paid tribute to parents, guardians and lecturers for their contributions to the students’ success and urged the university to sustain its innovative educational model, stressing that the future of learning depends on institutions capable of combining quality, accessibility, flexibility and global relevance.

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the university’s maiden convocation as proof that learning is no longer restricted to physical classrooms, adding that MIVA exemplifies the democratisation of knowledge through flexible access to quality education.

Delivering the keynote address, the Sarkin Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, emphasised that education is a fundamental right rather than a privilege and warned that denying citizens access to education undermines national development.

He praised MIVA Open University for bringing education closer to learners regardless of their location and stressed that educating the girl-child remains one of the most effective tools for sustainable growth and development.

Sanwo-Olu Urges MIVA Graduates to Embrace Innovation, Entrepreneurship

The Chancellor of MIVA Open University, Sim Shagaya, expressed confidence that the institution’s pioneer graduates would excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to national development.