Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa; and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), are among six prominent individuals selected for recognition awards at the maiden convocation of the Lagos State University of Education.
The other recipients are former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Olufemi Bamiro; Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab; and Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tertiary Education, Owolabi Ajani.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASUED, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, announced the awardees during a pre-convocation press conference held at the university on Thursday. The ceremony is scheduled to take place next Thursday.
She explained that the recipients were selected in recognition of their outstanding contributions to scholarship, leadership and public service, as well as their roles in the institution’s transition from a college of education to a university.
Giving reasons for the selection, she said, “They have attained exceptional distinction in their respective fields, influenced lives through scholarship, leadership and public service, and contributed to the progress of Lagos State.
“Their support and contribution to the historic transformation of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education into Lagos State University of Education make this recognition particularly meaningful to our institutional story.”
Lafiaji-Okuneye particularly acknowledged Sanwo-Olu’s role in establishing the university, noting that he signed the enabling bill on February 2, 2022, after the Lagos State House of Assembly passed it on November 15, 2021.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced that 2,486 students would graduate from the institution in the 2025/2026 academic session.
The graduating class comprises 84 First Class graduates, 891 Second Class Upper Division, 1,286 Second Class Lower Division, 224 Third Class and one Pass.
Blessed Olawunmi, from the Department of Home Economics in the College of Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, emerged as the overall best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.98.
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According to the Vice-Chancellor, Olawunmi will receive a cash prize of N250,000 and a plaque. Other outstanding graduates from the university’s various colleges will also be presented with plaques and cash rewards.
She further disclosed that graduates would collect their certificates immediately after returning their convocation gowns.
Reviewing the university’s development over the past five years, Lafiaji-Okuneye highlighted achievements in academic accreditation, programme expansion, postgraduate education, infrastructure, staff development and sports.
She said LASUED achieved a 100 per cent success rate in the National Universities Commission’s 2023 resource verification exercise. Additionally, all 66 academic programmes submitted for accreditation in the final quarter of 2024 received full accreditation.
The institution’s admission capacity has also grown from 3,300 to 5,500, while its student population has risen to more than 15,000.
Lafiaji-Okuneye said the university had established additional colleges and introduced more undergraduate and diploma programmes. Its Postgraduate College had also expanded its offerings to include several postgraduate diploma courses.
On infrastructure, she listed completed and ongoing projects at the Epe and Oto/Ijanikin campuses, including lecture theatres, a Senate Building, a Creative and Cultural Arts Building and a Public Health Building.
She added that the university had appointed 49 full professors and more than 82 associate professors since its transition to university status. Over 38 academic staff members had also obtained doctoral degrees during the period.
Despite the progress recorded, the Vice-Chancellor said the institution still required government assistance and support from individuals to address some pressing needs.
She identified the provision of fully equipped broadcasting and photojournalism studios as a priority for strengthening practical training in the university’s communication and media programmes.
The security of the Oto/Ijanikin campus boundary was another concern, particularly as the proposed expansion of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway could affect the institution’s perimeter fencing.
She also drew attention to the difficult terrain at the campus, explaining that nearly 70 per cent of the land was swampy and would require substantial development interventions.
“As we pursue new laboratories, teaching facilities and other infrastructure, we require technically sound and environmentally responsible drainage, reclamation and land-development interventions.
“We are hopeful that these priorities can be addressed through sustained engagement with the relevant state agencies and development partners,” she said.
Lafiaji-Okuneye further stressed the need to complete two auditoriums, each with a seating capacity of 750, at the Oto/Ijanikin and Odo-Noforija campuses in Epe.
She said the facilities would help accommodate the university’s expanding student population and ease the increasing demand for available learning and gathering spaces.