- Alara of Ilara hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu’s education commitment and LASU staff’s dedication at the institution’s convocation ceremonies.
- He also obtained his Professional Doctorate Degree, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), at the event.
- Oba Ogunsanwo also praised the recipients of the LASU’s Doctor of Business (Honoris Causa): Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mrs. Harriet-ann Omobolanle Adesola, and Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun.
The Alara of Ilara Kingdom and Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), His Royal Majesty Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, has praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his administration’s commitment to education, while also commending the university’s staff for their role in sustaining LASU’s academic reputation.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the monarch made the remarks on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in his address at the grand finale of LASU’s combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies, the same occasion on which he personally graduated with a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the institution.
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Welcoming the governor to the ceremony, Oba Ogunsanwo described his presence as a powerful testament to his administration’s commitment to the growth of education in Lagos and his deep affection for LASU.
He also expressed personal gratitude to Sanwo-Olu for his appointment as the 6th Chancellor of the university.
“Your decision to appoint me as the 6th Chancellor of Lagos State University was a demonstration of confidence for which I remain deeply grateful,” Oba Ogunsanwo said, while noting that the governor’s support had been central to LASU’s steady progress.
Beyond the personal, the chancellor praised his administration’s recognition of education as an investment in the future of Lagos.
He also highlighted the alignment between the university’s direction and the Governor’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda, which he noted “explicitly recognizes the centrality of human capital development, education, technology, infrastructure, and economic growth to the future of Lagos.”
The chancellor acknowledged LASU’s role within that agenda, promising that, “LASU must, and will, remain one of the State’s strongest engines for achieving these vital developmental objectives.”
Turning to the university’s staff, Oba Ogunsanwo appreciated them for keeping the institution strong and globally competitive.
“To our world-class University Staff, Academic and Non-Academic, I commend your academic stewardship. You have mentored, challenged, and refined the highest tier of manpower our state and nation possess. Your dedication ensures that the academic currency of LASU remains strong and globally competitive,” he said.
The Alara also acknowledged his predecessor, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN, the 5th Chancellor of the university, alongside all previous Chancellors, for setting a high standard of leadership, and extended warm regards to the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, and members of the Governing Council.
The chancellor further saluted the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, crediting her leadership for positioning LASU as a research-driven institution.
He pointed to 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 as proof of the institution’s growing academic weight. “The degree you hold today carries immense contemporary weight. The world is waiting for your expertise,” he told graduating students.
Closing his address, Oba Ogunsanwo pledged his full commitment to the institution’s future.
“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 said.
FURTHER READING
The convocation ceremony also saw the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees of business on three distinguished Nigerians — technocrat Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR; Ecobank Nigeria Chairman Mrs. Bola Adesola; and business magnate Alhaji Aliko Dangote — in recognition of their contributions to society, leadership, and national development.
Click to watch the video of the week below:
