It is with great pleasure and appreciation to Almighty God that I welcome everyone to the 2022/2023 Matriculation Ceremony for the newly admitted students of our World Class University.
Today’s ceremony is unique in the sense that it is the second Matriculation Ceremony I will be conducting as the 9th Substantive Vice Chancellor of our great Institution. It also marks the official enrollment of the matriculating students into the Lagos State University’s academic programmes, having been found worthy and qualified to become bonafide students of the Institution.
I heartily rejoice and congratulate all of you that are fortunate to be offered admission in this reputable University. I also congratulate your parents, guardians, family members and well-wishers for their effort towards ensuring that you fulfill your dreams of having a qualitative education.
As I said at your orientation programme that your welfare is top on our priority and we will not relent in our efforts to ensure that your learning environment remains conducive and competitive for learning. Please be assured that your security in and around the University is paramount to the University Management, hence we have put in place adequate security measures and I plead with you to report any suspicious activities to the University authority for immediate response.
A total number of 10,301 students are matriculating today out of over 40,000 applicants that subscribed to the University. Therefore, you must count yourselves very lucky to be among the very few that applied. It is on this note that I will advise you to face your studies so as not to lose the huge opportunity of getting University education.
In order to promote healthy competition, we have put in place a policy that guarantees fifty percent (50%) refund of Tuition Fees alone 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 the Lagos State University is a student-centered University. It is a place for the grooming of generational leaders. It is a fact that a University is a place of freedom.
However, in 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 developmental discourses around the globe. 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, it is a new beginning for all of you today and by the Grace of God in record time of 4 to 5years depending on your course of study, we will be gathered again for your convocation.
As young men and women desirous of a brighter future, it is expected that you abide with the rules and regulations of the University and be committed to your studies:
be regular in attending lectures;
carry out all your assignments;
shun deviant behaviors;
avoid indecent dressing;
carefully select your friends, bad friends destroy good habits; the university has zero tolerance for cultism;
avoid examination malpractices, do away with corruption and hooliganism and other vices that can expose you to danger as those found culpable will be dealt with in line with our disciplinary mechanisms.
I must also stress that the University under my administration has zero tolerance for Sexual and Gender based violence, and that informed our decision to establish the Directorate of Response and Preventive of Sexual and Gender based violence. Do not keep silent when you are harassed or assaulted in any manner. “if you see something, say something”. Show respect to your Colleagues and Staff in the University to make your stay successful and productive.
Finally, I enjoin you to strive for academic excellence in all that you do. It is my prayer that at the end of your programmes, we shall come together to celebrate your graduation.
Once again, I congratulate you and wish you a wonderful time on our Campuses.
Thank you and God bless.
We are LASU, we are Great!
Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola OLATUNJI-BELLO, mni NPOM Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University