Dangote Backs LASU With ₦600m, Promises Jobs for Top Engineering, Science Graduates

Lagos State University (LASU) erupted in cheers on Friday as Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, made a major commitment to the institution during its combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.

Dangote, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, pledged ₦600 million for the construction of a new girls’ hostel at LASU. He also opened opportunities for the university’s brightest graduates, with the Dangote Group set to give preferential consideration for employment to first-class graduates in engineering and science-related fields after their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Dangote was represented at the convocation by his daughter, Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote. During the ceremony, the university conferred on him an Honorary Doctor of Business Honoris Causa in Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Human Capital Development.
According to LASU management, the ₦600 million intervention is specifically for female student accommodation and is aimed at addressing one of the university’s major welfare challenges.
The university also disclosed that the Dangote Group would give “preferential consideration for employment” to first-class graduates in engineering and science fields after they complete their NYSC.
LASU said the intervention formed part of commitments towards student welfare, academic excellence and improved opportunities for graduates.
The Dangote Group currently employs more than 52,000 people across Nigeria and 11 other African countries, while its Dangote Academy provides practical training aimed at preparing graduates for industry.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation is also planning a wider investment in education. Officials disclosed that the foundation runs an education scholarship programme and plans to invest $70 million annually for the next 10 years in secondary and tertiary education, teacher training, STEM, as well as technical and vocational education.
The convocation ceremony celebrated 20,604 graduates from the two academic sessions, including 494 first-class graduates.
For the 2024/2025 session, Ayilara Lawal Olawale of the Department of Project Management emerged the overall best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.96.
For the 2025/2026 session, Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide of Aerospace Engineering emerged overall best with a CGPA of 4.97.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed that 262 students graduated with first-class degrees in 2024/2025, while 232 achieved the same feat in 2025/2026.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also announced a ₦40 million donation, presenting ₦20 million each to the two overall best graduating students.
In his final convocation address as Visitor to the university, Sanwo-Olu highlighted his administration’s investments in LASU, including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, new lecture theatres, halls and student accommodation.
He added that the Lagos State Government, the Federal Government, TETFund and private partners had delivered more than 50 infrastructure projects at the university.
Dangote was one of three Nigerians honoured during the ceremony. The others were Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and Harriet-Ann Omobola “Bola” Adesola, who were recognised for their leadership, business and societal contributions.
The LASU Chancellor, Oba Dr. Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, described the occasion as “a moment of joy, humility and gratitude” and commended the Lagos State Government for its commitment to education and human capital development.
For LASU’s female students, Dangote’s intervention means improved accommodation. For first-class engineers and scientists, it could mean a pathway to employment, while for the Dangote Foundation, it represents another investment in Nigeria’s future.