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 persons to receive recognition awards at the maiden convocation of the Lagos State University of Education, Oto-Ijanikin.
Vice-Chancellor, LASUED, Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, made this known while addressing a pre-convocation press conference held on the university premises on Thursday.
Others to receive recognition awards at the convocation scheduled for next Thursday are former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Olufemi Bamiro; Lagos Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab; and Chairman, Lagos House Committee on Tertiary Education, Owolabi Ajani.
Speaking, Lafiaji-Okuneye explained that the awardees were recognised for distinguishing themselves in scholarship, leadership and public service.
She added that the institution also considered their contributions to its transformation from a college of education into a university.
On the rationale, 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.”
Furthermore, Lafiaji-Okuneye highlighted Sanwo-Olu’s role in signing the bill establishing the university on February 2, 2022, following its passage by the state House of Assembly on November 15, 2021.
The VC disclosed that a total of 2,486 students made up the 2025/2026 graduating set, comprising 84 First Class, 891 Second Class (Upper Division), 1,286 Second Class (Lower Division), 224 Third Class and one Pass.
With a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.98, Blessed Olawunmi, of the Department of Home Economics in the College of Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, was declared the overall best graduating student.
She said Blessed would receive N250,000 and a plaque for her feat.
She added that other best graduating students across the colleges would also receive plaques and cash prizes.
Lafiaji-Okuneye further disclosed that graduating students would be issued their certificates immediately after returning their graduation gowns.
Lafiaji-Okuneye highlighted the school’s progress in five years, listing the institution’s achievements in academic accreditation, expansion of programmes, postgraduate education, infrastructure, staff development and sporting activities.
She said the university recorded 100 per cent success in the National Universities Commission’s 2023 resource verification exercise, while all 66 programmes presented for accreditation in the last quarter of 2024 secured full accreditation.
She added that the university’s admission quota had increased from 3,300 to 5,500, with its student population growing to more than 15,000.
Lafiaji-Okuneye said LASUED had established new colleges and introduced additional undergraduate and diploma programmes, while its Postgraduate College now offered several postgraduate diploma courses.
The VC listed completed and ongoing infrastructure projects across the university’s Epe and Oto/Ijanikin campuses, including lecture theatres, a Senate Building, a Creative and Cultural Arts Building and a Public Health Building.
She also disclosed that the university had appointed 49 full professors and more than 82 associate professors, while over 38 academic staff members had earned doctoral degrees since its transition.
She, however, said the university still needed support from the government and individuals in some critical areas.
Lafiaji-Okuneye said the institution needed fully equipped broadcast and photojournalism studios for its communication and media training programmes.
She also said there was a need to secure the boundary of the Oto/Ijanikin campus, as the planned expansion of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway might affect its perimeter fencing.
Furthermore, she identified the constraints posed by the swampy condition of a substantial portion of the Oto/Ijanikin campus land, estimated at close to 70 per cent.
“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.
The VC also said there was a need to complete two 750-seater auditoriums at Oto/Ijanikin and Odo-Noforija, Epe, to accommodate the university’s growing student population and increasing demand for available space.
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