Industrialist Aliko Dangote, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, has pledged ₦600m to support the construction of a female students’ hostel at Lagos State University.
The foundation also offered employment opportunities to first-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences, according to the university management.
The commitments were announced on LASU’s Facebook page on Friday following the combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
Dangote, who was represented at the ceremony by his daughter, Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote, was also honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Business Honoris Causa in Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Human Capital Development.
According to the university, the ₦600m donation will support the development of accommodation for female students.
LASU also disclosed that first-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences from the graduating classes would be considered for employment with the Dangote Group after completing their National Youth Service Corps programme.
The university said, “First-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences from the graduating class would receive preferential consideration for employment with the Dangote Group after completing their National Youth Service Corps programme.”
The commitments formed part of initiatives announced at the convocation to promote student welfare, academic excellence and career opportunities for graduates.
The Dangote Group currently has more than 52,000 employees across Nigeria and 11 other African countries. The Dangote Academy also offers practical training to graduates seeking careers in the industrial sector.
Meanwhile, the Aliko Dangote Foundation operates an education scholarship programme and has announced plans to invest $70m annually over the next decade in secondary and tertiary education, teacher development, STEM education, as well as technical and vocational training.
The combined convocation saw LASU celebrate 20,604 graduates from the two academic sessions, including 494 first-class graduates.
For the 2024/2025 session, Ayilara Lawal Olawale of the Department of Project Management emerged as the overall best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.96.
In the 2025/2026 session, Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide of the Department of Aerospace Engineering took the top position with a CGPA of 4.97. Both students graduated with First Class honours.
LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed that 262 students earned First Class honours in 2024/2025, while another 232 achieved the distinction in 2025/2026.
The convocation also featured a reward from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who donated ₦20m each to the two overall best graduating students.
In his final convocation address as the Visitor to LASU, Sanwo-Olu congratulated the graduates, their families, sponsors and lecturers, while highlighting his administration’s investments in the university.
He cited projects including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, lecture theatres, halls and student accommodation, alongside more than 50 infrastructure projects funded through various government and private-sector sources.
Dangote was among three prominent Nigerians who received honorary doctorate degrees during the ceremony. LASU also honoured Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and Harriet-Ann Omobola (Bola) Adesola for their contributions to leadership, business and society.
The LASU Chancellor, Oba Dr Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, described the ceremony as a time of joy, humility and gratitude, while commending the Lagos State Government for its continued investment in education, human-capital development, technology and infrastructure.
