- Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo presided over his first LASU convocation as the university’s 6th Chancellor.
- The Alara of Ilara Kingdom received a Doctor of Business Administration degree from LASU.
- He urged doctoral graduands to transform research and knowledge into practical solutions for Nigeria’s development.
Eko Hot Blog reports that His Royal Majesty, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, D.Arts (h.c.), JP, Telade IV, Alara of Ilara Kingdom and 6th Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), has made a remarkable mark at the university’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies, presiding over the ceremony while also graduating as a Doctor of Business Administration.
The historic ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU, Ojo, and attracted dignitaries from government, academia, traditional institutions, industry, families and the university community.
It was the first convocation ceremony presided over by Oba Ogunsanwo since his installation as Chancellor, making the event particularly significant for the monarch and the people of Epe Division.
Addressing the gathering, the Chancellor emphasised the strategic role of education in driving economic growth and social transformation, urging greater investment in human capital, research, innovation and technology.
He described education as a critical foundation for Lagos State’s continued development, stating that “education is not simply an expenditure; it is an investment in the future of Lagos.”
Oba Ogunsanwo also commended the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for its support for LASU and its commitment to human capital development.
He said the university remained strategically positioned to contribute to the implementation of the Lagos State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus agenda through education, research, technology and innovation.
“As an institution, we are fully aligned with this vision. LASU must, and will, remain one of the State’s strongest engines for achieving these vital developmental objectives,” he said.
The Chancellor challenged the graduands to see their academic achievements as a responsibility to society rather than merely a personal accomplishment.
Speaking particularly to doctoral graduands, he urged them to turn their research and expertise into solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic, technological and social challenges.
“Earning a Ph.D. or a Professional Doctorate is a monumental feat. It signifies that you have transitioned from being consumers of knowledge to creators of solutions,” he said.
He further urged the new scholars to take advantage of their knowledge and expertise to contribute meaningfully to national development.
“The world is waiting for your expertise. Use your advanced knowledge to solve the complex economic, social, and technological challenges facing our state and our nation,” he charged.
Oba Ogunsanwo pointed to LASU’s growing research profile, citing the university’s emergence as the sole South-West beneficiary of the ₦3 billion TETFund grant for the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences.
According to him, such investments should ultimately translate into indigenous innovations capable of solving problems within Nigeria and beyond.
The ceremony took an even more personal turn when the Chancellor joined the ranks of the graduands, receiving a Professional Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), from the same institution over which he presided.
Reflecting on the experience, the monarch described his academic journey as a reminder that leadership must be accompanied by continuous learning.
“Today, I do not just celebrate LASU from the high table; I celebrate with you as a proud alumnus,” he said.
He added, “Learning never ends, and leadership is best served when we continuously equip ourselves to meet the changing complexities of our world.”
The Chancellor also celebrated the families and institutions whose support made the academic journeys of the graduands possible.
“To the spouses, children, families, and institutions who stood by these doctoral graduands, I say: thank you. A doctoral journey is a collective sacrifice,” he stated.
He noted that the sacrifices made through long nights, research periods and demanding academic schedules deserved recognition, adding that “today’s victory belongs to the entire family.”
The ceremony also featured the recognition of three distinguished Nigerians who received honorary doctorate degrees from LASU: Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR; Mrs. Harriet-Ann Omobolanle (Bola) Adesola; and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Oba Ogunsanwo said their recognition reflected their contributions to national development through public service, education, business, industrialisation, financial inclusion, philanthropy and leadership.
“These awards are not given lightly,” he said, stressing that the university honours individuals who have “spent their lives building society, creating opportunities, and displaying exemplary leadership.”
The Chancellor commended the university’s academic and non-academic staff for their contributions to maintaining LASU’s standards and pledged continued collaboration with the Visitor, Governing Council, Management and other stakeholders.
“As your Chancellor and fellow alumnus, I pledge my absolute commitment to working alongside the Visitor, the Governing Council, Management, and all stakeholders to ensure that Lagos State University continues to be a shining beacon of academic excellence and societal transformation,” he declared.
For Epe Division, the occasion represented a moment of immense pride, as the Alara of Ilara Kingdom combined the responsibilities of traditional leadership and university chancellorship with the humility of a graduand.
The historic image of the monarch presiding over the convocation before taking his place among the graduands underscored the central message of his address: that learning is a lifelong journey and leadership must continually evolve with knowledge.
“Congratulations to all my fellow graduands,” Oba Ogunsanwo said.
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