Sanwo-Olu Canvasses Leadership By Example As 306 Babcock Students Get First Class Degrees

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged Nigerian leaders and public servants to lead by example and with fear of God.

He said that showing exemplary leadership and making dedication to duty their guiding principles would help to mentor the nation’s generations.

The governor stated this in his convocation lecture at the 2026 graduate convocation of Babcock University held at Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

Sanwo-Olu, who was honoured with the Leadership and Service Award by the management of the university in recognition of his outstanding performance and excellence in governance in Lagos State, described leadership as a responsibility that demands integrity, accountability and service to humanity.

He said, “It is a humbling experience and another call for us to continue to serve. We must lead with the fear of God, understanding that people are watching us and that we are expected to provide good examples for younger generations.’’

IN his convocation lecture, the governor urged the graduating students to embrace opportunities, believe in Nigeria and position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive global environment.

According to him, his presence at the ceremony was not merely to celebrate the graduating students but also to inspire and encourage them as they prepare to begin a new chapter of their lives.

“I am ot a graduand. I am here because, as a leader, we need to continue to encourage young people, share our experiences with them and let them know that life is waiting for them out there,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu commended Babcock University for its contributions to higher education, describing it as an institution that has consistently maintained high standards and produced graduates who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.

He noted that the institution had stood the test of time and continued to provide students with the foundation required to succeed in life and contribute meaningfully to society.

The governor said the graduating class, which he was informed was one of the largest in the university’s history, represented a new generation of Nigerians equipped to take advantage of emerging opportunities worldwide.

He encouraged the graduates to approach the future with confidence and optimism, stressing that the opportunities available to them today are far greater than those available to previous generations.

“Nearl” 40 years ago, when we graduated, the world was completely different. We had very little compared to what is available today. Many of those listening were probably not even born then. But times have changed,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu urged the graduates to adapt to changing realities, embrace innovation and leverage technology and globalisation to achieve their aspirations.

“They “need to understand the world they live in. They should not give excuses or reasons why they cannot succeed. They should embrace the opportunities before them and run with them,” he added.

The governor also challenged the graduates to remain hopeful about Nigeria, insisting that the country still offers enormous opportunities for growth, innovation and personal fulfilment.

He noted that the education they had received at Babcock University had equipped them with the knowledge, skills and values required to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the nation at large.

Meanwhile, 306 students were awarded First Class degrees amongst the 3521 graduands at the Babcock University 24th Convocation.

The President and Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, stated that the occasion marks more than another graduation ceremony as it is a celebration of God’s goodness to the institution.

‎He noted that the university had become a national heritage and school of choice as the results are there to show for it, saying, “3521 “students, the highest in the history of the institution, are graduating this 24th Undergraduate Convocation. We give glory to God. Babcock is placed joint 11th among Nigerian universities, confirming that the University is now visible on the global higher education landscape.

‎”Artificial Intelligence ” is reshaping industries. Universities can no longer afford to prepare students merely for today’s times; they must prepare them for opportunities and challenges yet to emerge. At Babcock University, we have therefore made a deliberate choice. We will not measure ourselves against local expectations.”

The” best graduating student emerged from the faculty of Social Science, in the person of Oluwapelumi Oluwatobiloba Amosu, from the Department of Economics, with a CGPA of 4.96.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Miss Simisola Abore described the academic journey as challenging but rewarding, expressing gratitude to God for seeing the students through to graduation.

“It was a struggle, but we thank God that we have graduated. We thank God for keeping us alive throughout the journey,” she said.