Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has pledged ₦600 million towards the construction of a female students’ hostel at Lagos State University (LASU) and promised employment opportunities for outstanding graduates of the institution.
The pledge was announced by his daughter, Fatima Aliko Dangote, who represented him at LASU’s 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies. Dangote was honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Business (Honoris Causa) in Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Human Capital Development.
Fatima said first class graduates in Engineering and Sciences from the graduating classes would receive preferential consideration for employment with the Dangote Group after completing their National Youth Service Corps programme.
She noted that the Dangote Group currently employs more than 52,000 people across Nigeria and 11 other African countries. While the Dangote Academy provides practical training for graduates seeking careers in the industrial sector.
She further added that the Dangote Foundation supports education through scholarship programmes and plans to invest $70 million annually over the next decade in secondary and tertiary education, teacher training, STEM and technical and vocational education.
Sanwo Olu Rewards Academic Excellence Awards The Two Best Graduating Students With ₦20m Each
The development coincided with a reward for academic excellence by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who donated ₦20 million each to the two best graduating students from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
Speaking at his final convocation as Visitor to LASU, Sanwo Olu congratulated the graduates, parents, sponsors and lecturers, revealing that 20,604 students graduated during the two academic sessions, including 494 first-class graduates.
He highlighted the performances of Lawal Ayilara of the Department of Project Management, who graduated with a 4.96 CGPA, 2024/2025 sessions. And Samuel Oluolamide Adebanjo of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, who recorded a 4.97 CGPA, 2025/2026 academic sessions
The governor urged the graduates to combine academic qualifications with discipline, competence, character and a commitment to service, stressing that their future would be determined not only by where they obtained their degrees but by what they contribute to society.
Sanwo Olu also highlighted his administration’s investments in LASU, including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, new lecture theatres, halls, student accommodation and other infrastructure.
According to the statement issued on Facebook by the institution, its student accommodation capacity has increased to 8,000 beds. While more than 50 infrastructure projects have been executed through funding from the Lagos State Government, Federal Government, TETFund, private-sector partners and internally generated revenue.
The governor further noted the expansion of Lagos State’s university system from one university to three, with Lagos State University of Education and Lagos State University of Science and Technology joining LASU, while another university is being proposed.
He said the administration had also reduced tuition by 65 per cent for pioneer students of the new university of education to improve access to tertiary education.
LASU Chancellor Commends Sanwo Olu, Reaffirms the Institution’s Commitment To Lagos State Development
The Chancellor of LASU, Oba Dr Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, described the convocation as a moment of joy, gratitude and reflection, commending the governor for his support for education, human-capital development, technology and infrastructure.
He reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to supporting Lagos State’s development agenda and maintaining its position as a major institution for education and human-capital development.
The convocation also marked a historic moment for LASU’s Epe Campus, which hosted a convocation ceremony for the first time, with graduates from Engineering and Agricultural Sciences.
The combination of Dangote’s hostel and employment commitments, the governor’s financial rewards for academic excellence, and ongoing investments in infrastructure and student welfare further underscored LASU’s growing role in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
