Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a cash reward of N20 million each for the overall best graduating students of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Wednesday during LASU’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies held at the university’s main campus in Ojo, Lagos.
The beneficiaries are Ayilara Olawale, who emerged as the overall best graduating student for the 2024/2025 academic session, and Adebanjo Oluolamide, who was adjudged the best graduating student for the 2025/2026 session.
The announcement was disclosed in a statement shared on X by the governor’s New Media aide, Jubril Gawat.
According to Gawat, the governor, who is also the Visitor to LASU, approved the N20 million reward for each of the two outstanding graduates in recognition of their exceptional academic performances.
Olawale, a graduate of Project Management Technology, finished with a remarkable 4.96 CGPA, earning First Class Honours. Oluolamide, who studied Aerospace Engineering, recorded an even higher 4.97 CGPA, also graduating with First Class Honours.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu described the cash reward as his personal donation and congratulated the students for their outstanding performances.
Addressing the two graduates, the governor said each of them would receive N20 million as a reward for their academic excellence.
The recognition comes shortly after Oluolamide received another major financial reward for his academic achievement. He had earlier been presented with a N10 million cash prize under the Sunbeth Excellence Partnership Programme after emerging as LASU’s overall best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The university had earlier announced that more than 20,000 students would graduate during the combined convocation ceremonies covering the two academic sessions. Among them are 494 first-class graduates, underscoring the academic achievements recorded by the institution.
Olawale, who obtained a B.Tech (Honours) in Project Management Technology, attributed his success to divine grace and expressed gratitude for being recognised as the university’s best graduating student.
Oluolamide, in his own reaction, celebrated his achievement after recording a 4.97 CGPA in Aerospace Engineering. He also thanked God for the grace, wisdom and strength that enabled him to complete his studies with First Class Honours.
The governor’s gesture has further placed the spotlight on academic excellence at LASU, while providing substantial financial encouragement to the two graduates as they begin the next phase of their careers.
