Dangote Drops ₦600m Bombshell at LASU Convocation, Promises Jobs for First-Class Graduates

Lagos State University erupted in cheers on Friday as Africa’s richest man came with more than honorary robes.

Industrialist Aliko Dangote, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, pledged ₦600 million to build a new girls’ hostel at LASU. He also threw open the gates of the Dangote Group to the university’s brightest minds.

The announcement was made during LASU’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions. Dangote was represented by his daughter, Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote.

And he didn’t leave empty-handed. The university conferred on him an Honorary Doctor of Business Honoris Causa in Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Human Capital Development.

—“Roof Over Their Heads, Jobs In Their Hands”–‘

According to LASU management, the ₦600m is earmarked specifically for female student accommodation — a direct intervention in one of the university’s biggest welfare challenges.

But the money was only half the story.

In a move that had final-year engineering and science students sitting up, LASU said the Dangote Group will give “preferential consideration for employment” to first-class graduates in those fields after they complete NYSC.

“The intervention was part of the commitments made towards student welfare, academic excellence and graduate opportunities,” the university stated on its Facebook page.

For context: the Dangote Group already employs more than 52,000 people across Nigeria and 11 other African countries. Its Dangote Academy also runs practical training to plug graduates straight into industry.

—A $70m Decade Plan—

The foundation is not stopping at LASU. Officials revealed it runs an education scholarship programme and plans to invest $70 million every year for the next 10 years in secondary and tertiary education, teacher training, STEM, and technical and vocational education.

—20,604 Graduates, 2 Perfect Scores—

The convocation celebrated 20,604 graduates across both sessions, including 494 first-class degrees.

For 2024/2025, Ayilara Lawal Olawale of the Department of Project Management emerged overall best with a CGPA of 4.96.

For 2025/2026, Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide of Aerospace Engineering took the crown with a CGPA of 4.97.

The VC, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed that 262 students bagged first-class in 2024/2025, while 232 did so in 2025/2026.

—Sanwo-Olu’s Parting Gift: ₦40m—

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his final convocation address as Visitor, matched the momentum with cash. He donated ₦20 million each to the two overall best graduating students.

He also reeled off his administration’s investments: the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, new lecture theatres, halls, and student accommodation. The state government, FG, TETFund and private partners have delivered over 50 infrastructure projects at LASU.

—Honours All Round—

Dangote was one of three Nigerians honoured. Others were Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and Harriet-Ann Omobola “Bola” Adesola, recognised for leadership, business and societal impact.

LASU Chancellor, Oba Dr. Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, described the day as “a moment of joy, humility and gratitude,” and commended Lagos State for its commitment to education and human capital development.

For LASU’s female students, it means beds.
For its first-class engineers and scientists, it means a job.
For Dangote, it was another cheque written to Nigeria’s future.