The Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji Bello, has highlighted the achievements recorded by the institution over the past five years, saying the university has emerged as one of the leading higher institutions in Nigeria and Africa.
Olatunji Bello spoke on Wednesday at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies of LASU, held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo.
The Vice Chancellor, who is delivering her final convocation address before leaving office next month, said her administration met the six strategic goals set when she assumed office in September 2021.
She said the university recorded major improvements in academic accreditation, research and innovation, infrastructure, financial sustainability, staff and student welfare, as well as sports and recreation.
According to her, LASU secured full accreditation for 31 of the 37 programmes presented during its first accreditation exercise under her administration, while 43 of 44 programmes presented in 2023 also received full accreditation.
She added that 17 new programmes received full accreditation through the National Universities Commission resource assessment in 2026.
Olatunji Bello also highlighted the establishment of four new faculties and two schools, housing more than 30 new courses, as part of efforts to expand access to higher education.
On research and innovation, she disclosed that the university established a ₦5 million internal research grant, while its researchers secured ₦29 million in grants from the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council.
She also announced that the Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, approved a ₦3 billion Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Security for LASU.
The Vice Chancellor said the university had also undergone significant digital transformation, with most of its academic and administrative processes now fully digitalised.
On infrastructure, Olatunji Bello said more than 50 projects were executed through funding from the Lagos State Government, Federal Government, TETFund, private donors and the university’s internally generated revenue.
She listed major projects to include the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, Students’ Arcade, a ₦3 billion TETFund Academic Resource Centre, Olatunji Bello Auditorium at the Epe Campus and 8,000-bed-capacity student hostels.
She said LASU’s internally generated revenue increased from ₦3 billion in 2021 to ₦13 billion in 2025, attributing the growth to improved financial management, automation and better utilisation of the university’s resources.
On staff and student welfare, the Vice Chancellor said hundreds of new staff were employed, more than 2,000 promotion cases were cleared, while students benefited from scholarships worth millions of naira.
She also cited LASU’s sporting achievements, including its second-place finish at the 11th All-Africa University Games in 2024, where the university won 28 gold, 30 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Olatunji Bello said LASU Queens also became the first Nigerian university female football team to represent Africa at the FISU World University Games in 2025.
She noted that LASU currently has a student population of more than 85,000 and has achieved full residential status.
The Vice Chancellor said the university had also expanded its academic and infrastructural presence at the Epe Campus, where, for the first time in its history, a convocation ceremony was held on Monday.
She described the development as a symbol of inclusive growth and said the university would continue to strengthen its campuses to meet the needs of its growing population.
Olatunji Bello expressed appreciation to Lagos State Governor and LASU Visitor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his support throughout her tenure.
She also thanked members of the university’s governing council, management, Senate, staff and students for their contributions to the institution’s development.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the 20,604 graduands of the combined 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, urging them to carry the reputation of LASU with pride as they leave the institution.
The final day of the combined convocation featured the conferment of professional and academic doctoral degrees, as well as honorary doctorate degrees on distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to national development, scholarship, public service and humanity.