Lagos: Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), has urged the incoming administration to uphold the Senate’s role in the university’s academic governance. Olatunji-Bello delivered this message during her valedictory lecture titled ‘From Vision to Legacy; Leadership, Institutional Transformation and the Making of Globally Competitive Lagos State University’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the lecture marked the conclusion of Tunji-Bello’s tenure as the vice-chancellor, a position she has held since her appointment on September 16, 2021. Prof. Olawunmi Badejo is set to succeed her on September 19. Olatunji-Bello emphasized the importance of protecting LASU’s academic integrity and encouraged her successor to engage in consultation while making administrative decisions.
She advised the new administration to improve upon her legacy, highlighting the need for courage in decision-making when faced with difficult choices. She also called on her successor to be open to change and to leave the university in a stronger position than they found it. Olatunji-Bello stated that the university’s future does not solely depend on the vice-chancellor but on collective efforts.
During her tenure, the university’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) saw a significant increase from approximately N3 billion to N13 billion. This growth was one of the key indicators of the transformation achieved under her leadership. Her administration set six strategic goals aimed at making LASU the best university in West Africa.
Olatunji-Bello introduced a scholarship policy for students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 and above, offering them a 50% tuition rebate. She acknowledged external partners like OPay and WAPCO for their financial support towards student scholarships. Other supporters included Stanbic IBTC, JAGAL Foundation, and Lateefat Odunuga National Foundation.
The university also saw an increase in first-class graduates during Olatunji-Bello’s tenure. The 25th Convocation produced 112 first-class graduates, a record that was surpassed at the 26th Convocation with 282 first-class graduates. The university also celebrated its first graduate with a perfect CGPA of 5.00, Aminat Yusuf from the Faculty of Law.
Her administration revitalized the Foundation Programme into the Lagos State University School of Basic and Advanced Studies and expanded Sandwich programmes and Distance Education. These initiatives provided more educational opportunities for prospective students.
Olatunji-Bello attributed the university’s transformation to its workforce, emphasizing that people, not infrastructure or technology, drove the change. She expressed gratitude to the university management team and other stakeholders for their support during her tenure, acknowledging their collective efforts in achieving the university’s goals.
She concluded by appreciating the support and loyalty of her colleagues, highlighting the collaborative spirit that defined her administration.