Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated the newly appointed Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU), charging members to uphold integrity, strengthen academic excellence, and provide focused leadership for the institution’s future. The ceremony took place on Tuesday at Lagos House, Ikeja, with senior state officials, university leaders, and top stakeholders in the education sector in attendance.
The governor later shared details of the event on his official Facebook page, emphasising the significance of the Governing Council in guiding the university’s policies, long-term planning, and overall development.
Describing LASU as a “cornerstone institution” for nurturing young talent, Sanwo-Olu said the university occupies a strategic position in the state’s plan to build a globally competitive knowledge economy. He noted that LASU has become one of the fastest-growing universities in Nigeria, with a reputation for academic discipline, innovation, and impactful research.
“I am confident that this council will guide the university with integrity, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to excellence,” the governor said.
He added that the quality of leadership provided by the Governing Council would determine how successfully LASU continues to compete with leading universities within and outside Nigeria.
LASU, established in 1983, has grown into one of the country’s most respected state-owned universities. It is known for its strong law faculty, social sciences programmes, medical school, and growing footprint in technology and innovation research. The university has consistently ranked among Nigeria’s top institutions and has earned recognition at continental and global levels.
The highlight of the event was the formal inauguration and swearing-in of the council members. Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulated Babatunde Ogala, SAN, on his appointment as Chairman of the Governing Council. Ogala, a senior lawyer and former chief of staff in Lagos politics, is expected to bring a wealth of legal and administrative experience to the role.
Other members, including Remi Desalu, also took their oaths of office. The governor urged the newly inaugurated council to work harmoniously with LASU’s management to achieve stability and sustained progress.
LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, attended the ceremony with other senior officials of the institution, signalling strong cooperation between the council and university administration.
The governor commended the vice chancellor for her ongoing contributions to LASU’s development, noting that the institution has made noteworthy progress in recent years with improvements in academic standards, infrastructure, student support services, and research output.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the new Governing Council faces significant responsibilities. With growing student enrolment, increasing demand for research partnerships, and the need for world-class academic standards, he said the council must steer LASU through reforms that will position it as a leading institution in Africa.
He outlined several priorities, including:
Strengthening academic standards to ensure LASU maintains its reputation for rigorous teaching and learning.
Boosting research output by encouraging innovation, supporting faculty development, and building global academic partnerships.
Improving student welfare, including housing, safety, counselling services, and internship opportunities.
Enhancing financial transparency and ensuring proper management of university resources.
Promoting staff training and motivation to improve performance across academic and non-academic departments.
The governor also emphasised the need for the council to uphold fairness, transparency, and accountability in its oversight functions.
“Effective governance is vital for the university’s sustained growth,” he said. “I look forward to witnessing LASU’s continued growth as a leading university in Nigeria and on the global stage.”
The inauguration of the new council comes at a time when Lagos State is making major investments in tertiary education. Over the past few years, the government has upgraded facilities at LASU, expanded digital infrastructure, supported research grants, and worked to improve lecturers’ welfare.
The administration also launched new academic programmes designed to align with modern economic needs, such as technology, entrepreneurship, and environmental studies. These efforts, Sanwo-Olu said, are part of a broader plan to make Lagos a hub for innovation and advanced learning in West Africa.
The ceremony was attended by several top Lagos officials, showing the government’s commitment to strengthening the university system. Present at the event were:
Lawal Pedro, SAN, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice;
Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government;
Olabode Agoro, Head of Service;
Tolani Sule, Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
University leaders, senior lecturers, and representatives of key educational bodies also witnessed the inauguration.
The newly inaugurated Governing Council will begin work immediately, focusing on policy direction, long-term planning, and oversight of major university decisions. As LASU continues expanding its programmes and improving its global visibility, the council’s role will become even more important.
For staff and students, expectations are high. Many hope the new council will introduce policies that improve academic quality, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and create a more student-friendly environment.
