Oba Ogunsanwo bags Doctor of Business Administration as LASU honours Kekere-Ekun, Adesola, Dangote

By MUHAMMED ADEWALE

“Today, I do not just celebrate LASU from the high table; I celebrate with you as a proud alumnus,” Oba Ogunsanwo said, stressing that learning never ends and that leaders must continuously equip themselves to respond to the changing complexities of society.

The Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), His Royal Majesty Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, Alara of Ilara Kingdom, has described the institution’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies as a landmark celebration of academic excellence, leadership and service to society.

Oba Ogunsanwo stated this on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU, Ojo, where the university held the grand finale of its combined convocation ceremonies.

The Chancellor, who expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to preside over the ceremony, said the occasion was particularly significant to him because he was not only attending as the university’s sixth Chancellor but was also among the graduands.

According to him, he graduated from LASU with a Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), describing the experience of returning to the university as a student as an opportunity to gain deeper appreciation of its academic standards and the dedication of its staff.

“Today, I do not just celebrate LASU from the high table; I celebrate with you as a proud alumnus,” he said, stressing that learning never ends and that leaders must continuously equip themselves to respond to the changing complexities of society.

Oba Ogunsanwo congratulated the academic and professional doctorate graduands, describing the attainment of a Ph.D. or professional doctorate as a “monumental feat” that transforms recipients from consumers of knowledge into creators of solutions.

He commended the Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, and the university’s management for positioning LASU as a research-driven institution.

The Chancellor particularly highlighted LASU’s emergence as the sole South-West beneficiary of the N3 billion TETFund grant for the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences (ARCS), saying the development underscored the contemporary relevance of degrees awarded by the university.

He urged the new doctoral graduates to deploy their knowledge in addressing the economic, social and technological challenges confronting Lagos State and Nigeria.

The Chancellor also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the families, spouses, children and institutions that supported the doctoral graduates throughout their academic journeys.

He said the convocation also provided an opportunity for LASU to honour individuals whose contributions to society reflected the university’s values of excellence, leadership and service.

The university conferred honorary Doctor of Business degrees on three distinguished Nigerians: Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR; Mrs. Harriet-Ann Omobolanle “Bola” Adesola; and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who  was represented by his daughter, Fatimah Dangote.

Oba Ogunsanwo described Kekere-Ekun as a renowned technocrat whose contributions to LASU, Lagos State and Nigeria had advanced educational development, public service and socio-economic progress.

He also praised Adesola, Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria, for her 37-year career in corporate finance, describing her as a visionary leader and advocate for women in management, business and public service.

Dangote, according to the Chancellor, was honoured for his contributions to commerce, economic development, education, human capital development and philanthropy, as well as his role in promoting entrepreneurial excellence in Nigeria and across Africa.

The Chancellor formally welcomed the three honourees into the LASU family, saying their achievements had set a high standard for the university community.

He also commended LASU’s academic and non-academic staff for their dedication to teaching, research, mentorship and the development of manpower for Lagos State and Nigeria.

Oba Ogunsanwo expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Governor and Visitor to the university, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his administration’s support for education and LASU, as well as for appointing him as the university’s sixth Chancellor.

He said the administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda, particularly its emphasis on human capital development, education, technology, infrastructure and economic growth, aligned with LASU’s mission and aspirations.

He assured the university community of his commitment to working with the Visitor, Governing Council, management and other stakeholders to strengthen LASU’s position as a centre of academic excellence and societal transformation.

“LASU must, and will, remain one of the State’s strongest engines for achieving these vital developmental objectives,” he said.

Oba Ogunsanwo also paid tribute to his predecessor, Professor Gbolahan Elias, SAN, the fifth Chancellor, and other former Chancellors for their contributions to the growth of the university.

He congratulated all graduands and called for continued commitment to excellence, knowledge and service to humanity.

He concluded by praying for the continued prosperity of Lagos State University, Lagos State and Nigeria.

Dignitaries who attended the convocation are the Visitor to the University and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the Ogbeni Oja and Regent of Awujale of Ijebu Land, and Olorogun (Dr.) Sonny Folorunsho Kuku; and National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh (Dr.) Abdur-Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi; Oniba of Iba, His Royal Majesty Oba Suleiman Raji-Ashade; and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Chief Gani Adams.