Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been honoured receive a Leadership and Service Award from Babcock University, during its 24th undergraduate convocation ceremony for the conferment of degrees and prizes on Sunday, 26th July.
The award marked a recognition of his outstanding performance and excellence in governing the state.
The Governor delivered the convocation lecture titled “Breaking New Ground: Faith, Grit and the Work of New Beginnings,”to the 3,400 graduating students present, academics, guardians and distinguished guests, where he described leadership as a responsibility that demands integrity, accountability, and service to humanity.
He addressed the graduating class, known as the ‘2026 Undergraduate NOVA Class’, urging young Nigerians to develop innovative solutions to societal problems and engage government with evidence-based ideas that can drive sustainable development.
He pointed out the state’s progress over the last seven years, addressing investments in sectors which include transportation, education, healthcare, housing and technology.
“We established two new state universities. We are completing the largest children’s hospital in sub-Saharan Africa, introduced a digital learning revolution in our public schools, and delivered thousands of new housing units,” he said.
He also noted the growth of Lagos’ budget from under ₦900 billion in 2019 to ₦4.44 trillion in 2026, with the state being ranked by the Dealroom Global Tech Ecosystem Index in 2025 as the fastest-growing tech ecosystem in the world.
Babcock University was commended by the Governor for its contributions to tertiary education and for producing graduates who have excelled in various fields.
Meanwhile, Miss Simisola Abore, who spoke on behalf of the graduating students, described the academic journey as challenging but rewarding, urging her fellow graduants to uphold the values of the institution and contribute positively to the community.