ADDRESS OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, PROFESSOR IBIYEMI IBILOLA OLATUNJI-BELLO AT THE MATRICULATION CEREMONY FOR THE 2021/2022 NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS, HELD ON MONDAY, 5TH SEPTEMBER 2022.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Adenike BOYO

Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel FANU

Bursar, Mr. Said OLAYINKA

University Librarian, Dr. Layi Adebayo

Distinguished Senate Members here present

Deans of Faculties and Schools here present;

All Heads of Departments here present;

Directors of Academic/Non Academic Service Centers here present

All Faculty Officers here present

Distinguished Staff of the University here present

Our Esteemed Matriculating Students

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press

On behalf of the University Governing Council, Senate, Staff and Students of the Lagos State University, I warmly welcome you all to the 2021/2022 Matriculation Ceremony for the newly admitted students of our World Class University. I express my deepest congratulations to our fresh students who have gained admission to undertake various degree programmes in this Citadel of Learning. Your choice to study in this great University is a clear indication that you believe in the quality of teaching and learning we offer.

I want to assure you that you are in for a worthwhile academic experience which impact will last a life time. I also rejoice with your parents, guardians, family members and well-wishers on this memorable occasion. May the investment they are making in you never be in vain, in Jesus mighty name, Amen.

Today’s event is very important because it marks the official enrollment of 6,377 matriculating students into the Lagos State University’s academic programmes, having been found worthy and qualified to become bonafide students of the Institution.

My dear matriculating students, our vision is to become the Best University in West Africa. I enjoin you to align yourselves with this vision by diligently fulfilling your academic obligations.

As I said at your orientation programme, your welfare is top on our priority. We will continue to ensure that your learning environment remains conducive and competitive. Your security in and around the University Campuses is of paramount importance to the University Management. Therefore, we have put in place adequate security measures and also a well-equipped University E-library for your use. We will ensure steady power supply to enable those who wish to study at night to do so comfortably.

In order to promote healthy competition, we have put in place a policy that guarantees fifty percent (50%) refund of school fees to University Scholars. This is the category of students who consistently maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 every session.

It is important for me to mention that LASU is a student-centered University, a place for grooming generational leaders and a place of freedom. However, at LASU that freedom often comes with equivalent obligations and boundaries. We take pride in training students for life. We are focused on character development of our students. This is based on the hope that when you graduate, you will contribute meaningfully to development of your nation and the world. Our objective at the Lagos State University is to produce graduates who will be catalysts to the process of transformation of the State to a Greater Lagos.

My dear Matriculating Students, please note that the distance between today’s Matriculation Ceremony and your Convocation Ceremony is quite wide and yet so close, and it is important that the journey ends successfully for you all. As young men and women desirous of a brighter future, let me remind you of the quote of a foremost American entrepreneur, Jim Rohn who said “discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment”. What stands between you and your dreams today is discipline.

To this end, you must attend lectures regularly, carry out all your assignments, shun deviant behaviors, avoid indecent dressing and other vices that can expose you to danger. Carefully select your friends. Bad friends destroy good habits. Please be security conscious at all times.

We have a one stop safety application for our students named; LASU Monitor Campus Safety APP. Kindly download it from Google Play Store and ensure that you learn how to use it. It will improve your safety in and out of the Campus. The University has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, corruption, hooliganism and sexual gender based violence. Report any form of sexual harassment to the University Centre for Response and Prevention of Sexual and Gender Based Violence. Those found culpable for any of these vices will be dealt with in line with our disciplinary measures. Show respect to your course mates and Staff in the University to make your stay successful and productive. I advise you to make the students’ handbook your companion and relate with the Students’ Affairs Division and your Course Advisers at all times.

Finally, I enjoin you to strive for academic excellence in all that you do. I pray that the good Lord will use this great University to foster your growth and development in the overall interest of our dear Country. It is also my prayer that at the end of your various programmes, we shall come together to celebrate your graduation.

Once again, I congratulate you and wish you a wonderful stay on our Campuses.

Thank you and God bless.

We are LASU, We are Great!!!

Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola OLATUNJI-BELLO Ph.D, mni

Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University