Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu from the Department of Biochemistry has been named the overall best-graduating student of Lagos State University for the 2023/2024 academic session.
This announcement was made on Thursday by the Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, during a press briefing marking the commencement of the 28th Convocation ceremony of the institution.
During the event, Prof. Olatunji-Bello expressed pride in the university’s commitment to producing graduates who are well-prepared for both national and global challenges.
“This year’s Convocation, like previous editions, is organised into two segments: pre-convocation events and the main convocation events,” she stated.
“The press conference, marking the first pre-convocation event, will be followed by the Convocation Staff Sports Competition later today at the LASU Sports Centre. On Friday, April 4, 2025, a special Jumat service will take place at the University Central Mosque at 1:00 PM, marking Day 2 of the ceremony.
“On Sunday, April 6, 2025, a Special Thanksgiving Service will be held at the University Chapel of Light, Ojo, Lagos, at 10:00 AM, concluding the pre-convocation events.”
The main convocation events will begin on Monday, April 7, 2025, with the Coconut Breaking and Cultural Festival at the Badagry Gate of the main campus at 9:00 AM. This ceremony, traditionally organised by the Alumni Association, is an integral part of the convocation.
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the fifth day of the Convocation will feature a lecture titled “Patriots, Citizenship, and National Ownership: The Imperative of Collective Responsibility for Nigeria’s Future.” The lecture will be delivered by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and chaired by Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Kano State. The lecture will take place at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Main Campus in Ojo, at 11:00 AM.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and master’s degrees will be conferred upon deserving graduates at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo, starting at 10:00 AM.
The grand finale will occur on Thursday, April 10, 2025, with the award of Doctorate Degrees and the conferment of distinguished professorships and honorary doctorate degrees at 10:00 AM in the same auditorium.
Providing a breakdown of the graduating students, Prof. Olatunji-Bello stated, “In total, 971 diploma students will graduate this year, with the following breakdown: 123 with distinctions, 550 with upper credits, 287 with lower credits, and 11 passes.
“Among the 8,711 students graduating with first degrees from the university, 192 achieved first-class honours, 17 received unclassified degrees (MBBS/BDS), 3,076 graduated with second-class upper division, 4,397 with second-class lower division, 990 with third class, and 39 with passes.
“I am delighted to announce that NWOSU ISIOMA SYBIL from the Biochemistry Department, with a CGPA of 4.93, is our overall best-graduating student for the 2023/2024 academic session.”
In the postgraduate category, 2,235 students will be graduating: 302 with postgraduate diplomas, 1,132 with academic master’s degrees, 639 with professional master’s degrees, 125 with Doctor of Philosophy degrees, and 37 with professional doctoral degrees.
The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that honorary doctorate degrees would be conferred on two distinguished Nigerians: Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and former Military Governor of Lagos State, and Otunba Olufemi Olusegun Pedro, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State. These honours recognise their invaluable contributions to the university’s development and the nation at large. Additionally, Professor Joseph Abayomi Olagunju will be elevated to the rank of Distinguished Professor.
Reflecting on her tenure, Prof. Olatunji-Bello highlighted key achievements, including the full accreditation of 43 out of 44 courses presented to the National Universities Commission during the 2023 accreditation exercise. She also noted strategic collaborations with local and international institutions, along with LASU’s consistent ranking as the best state university and the leading university in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the 2024 UI Greenmetrics World University ranking, which it has maintained for three consecutive years.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to excellence, celebrating the success of graduates like Nwosu as a testament to the university’s dedication to academic and professional excellence.
