Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a cash reward of ₦20 million each for the overall best graduating students of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 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 recognised as the best graduating student for the 2025/2026 session.
Olawale, a graduate of Project Management Technology, finished his programme with a remarkable 4.96 CGPA and First Class Honours. Oluolamide, who studied Aerospace Engineering, achieved an even higher 4.97 CGPA, also graduating with First Class Honours.
Announcing the reward at the convocation ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu said each of the outstanding graduates would receive ₦20 million as a personal cash gift from him.
The governor’s gesture was presented as recognition of the students’ exceptional academic performances and as encouragement for other students to pursue excellence in their studies.
The announcement generated attention at the convocation, particularly because both graduates achieved outstanding results despite the academic demands of their respective programmes.
Olawale expressed gratitude for his achievement, attributing his success to divine grace and describing his emergence as LASU’s best graduating student as a major milestone.
Oluolamide also celebrated his academic accomplishment after recording a 4.97 CGPA in Aerospace Engineering. His achievement had earlier earned him another financial reward of ₦10 million through the Sunbeth Excellence Partnership Programme for emerging as LASU’s overall best graduating student for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The recognition adds to the growing list of accolades received by the young graduate for his exceptional academic performance.
The combined convocation ceremonies brought together graduates from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, with the university expected to graduate more than 20,000 students across various programmes.
Among the graduates were 494 students who achieved First Class Honours, reflecting the strong academic performance recorded by students across different faculties and departments.
The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, had earlier announced Olawale and Oluolamide as the overall best graduating students for their respective academic sessions.
The governor’s cash reward is expected to further encourage academic excellence among students of the institution and reinforce the importance of hard work, dedication and outstanding performance.
The development also highlights the Lagos State Government’s support for education and its interest in recognising young people who distinguish themselves academically.
Both awardees now join the growing number of LASU graduates whose academic achievements have attracted public recognition and financial support.