His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara, has been appointed as the 6th Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), bringing decades of public service and administrative expertise to the prestigious role.
EKO HOT BLOG gathered that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the appointment.
EDITOR’S PICKS
In a statement on Sunday, the Registrar and Secretary to Council, LASU, Mr Emmanuel Fanu, said the approval followed the completion of Professor Gbolahan Elias SAN’s tenure as the 5th Chancellor.
The appointment takes effect from Friday, February 13, 2026, for a single term of five years, renewable once.
According to Fanu, the appointment was made “pursuant to the provisions of the Lagos State University Law 2004 (As amended), Chapter L69, Volume 7, Schedule 1, which empowers the Visitor to appoint the Chancellor of the University.”
He added that the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor congratulated Oba Ogunsanwo on the appointment, expressing their anticipation of “his impactful leadership in advancing the vision and mission of Lagos State University.”
Also commenting on the appointment, Otunba TJ Abass, the Publisher of EKO HOT BLOG, congratulated the Alara on the well-deserved recognition.
“This appointment is not only a testament to His Royal Majesty’s proven merit and distinguished record in public service, but also a celebration of his unique ability to bridge traditional wisdom with modern administrative excellence,” he said.
The Epe chief noted that Oba Ogunsanwo’s appointment is a golden opportunity for LASU to elevate itself to global standards, adding that the monarch will bring a deep experience in managing public and traditional institutions to his new role.
A Career Built on Public Service
Before ascending the throne as the 55th Alara of Ilara Kingdom in 2020, Oba Ogunsanwo built a distinguished career spanning over two decades in Nigeria’s public sector.
His professional journey began in the banking sector before transitioning to government service, where he worked as a tax administrator for twenty-five years, rising steadily through the ranks.
His academic credentials include a BSc in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), an MSc in Economics from the University of Lagos, and a Masters in Public Administration from Lagos State University. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, and Member of the Institute of Directors.
The pinnacle of his civil service career came when he was appointed Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), serving between September 2015 and August 2016.
In this role, he oversaw one of Nigeria’s most important state revenue agencies, responsible for collecting taxes and generating income for Lagos State’s development.
From Traditional Ruler to Academic Leader
In November 2019, the kingmakers of Ilara selected Oba Ogunsanwo from the Telade Ruling House to become Alara, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya II, who had reigned for 58 years. Governor Sanwo-Olu presented him with his Staff of Office in August 2020.
As Alara, he has demonstrated strong leadership in modernising the ancient kingdom while preserving its cultural heritage. His achievements include significant infrastructure development, organising the first Aje festival celebrating the goddess of wealth, and refurbishing the ancient palace. These accomplishments showcase his ability to balance tradition with progress.
The new Chancellor’s appointment to LASU represents a continuation of his commitment to public service, now focused on higher education. His background in economics, public administration, and institutional management positions him well to guide the university through the challenges and opportunities ahead.
FURTHER READING
With both a traditional crown and an academic chancellorship, Oba Ogunsanwo joins a unique group of Nigerian traditional rulers who serve in prominent educational leadership roles, bringing their wisdom and experience to shape the next generation of leaders.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
Click to watch the video of the week below:
