Lagos State University (LASU) has announced plans to confer honorary doctorate degrees on Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and two other distinguished Nigerians during its forthcoming 29th and 30th Combined Convocation Ceremonies.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing held to unveil activities lined up for the convocation.

According to her, the university’s Senate approved the honorary awards in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding contributions to national development, business, scholarship, public service and humanity.

Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, will receive a Doctor of Business (Honoris Causa) for his remarkable achievements in entrepreneurship, industrialisation and human capital development.

Also to be honoured are Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun and Mrs. Harriet-Ann Omobola, who will receive Doctor of Business (Honoris Causa) degrees for their contributions to entrepreneurship, finance, corporate governance and management.

Beyond the honorary awards, LASU will elevate two eminent scholars, Prof. Rafiu Okuneye and Prof. Olatunji-Bello, to the prestigious rank of Distinguished Professor in recognition of their exceptional contributions to teaching, research, mentorship and knowledge advancement.

The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the graduating students and commended their parents, guardians, lecturers and members of staff for the support and sacrifices that contributed to their academic success.

She noted that the university had recorded significant achievements in recent years across academic development, research, innovation, infrastructure, digital transformation, international partnerships and student performance.

Among the major accomplishments highlighted was the professional accreditation secured by LASU’s Bachelor of Science programmes in Chemical and Process Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

According to Olatunji-Bello, the accreditation was granted under the Outcome-Based Education framework, further strengthening the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and global best practices.

She also revealed that the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently approved 17 new academic programmes following a successful resource assessment exercise.

The newly approved programmes include Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Data Science, Information and Communication Technology, Music Education, Social Studies Education and Advertising.

Others are Development and Communication Studies, Journalism and Media Studies, Film and Multimedia Studies, Broadcasting, Information and Media Studies, Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Entrepreneurship, Film Production, and Tourism and Hospitality Management.

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In addition, programmes such as Special Education, Library Science, Architecture, Fine Arts, Linguistics, Taxation, and Communication and Media Studies secured full accreditation, reflecting the university’s determination to meet emerging national and global workforce demands.

The Vice-Chancellor described the recently inaugurated Babajide Sanwo-Olu Library Complex as another landmark achievement, noting that the facility is widely regarded as the largest and most digitalised university library in West Africa.

She expressed gratitude to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his continued investment in education and support for the institution’s growth.

Olatunji-Bello also acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule; Chairman of the LASU Governing Council, Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN); members of the university Senate, management team, staff, students, alumni and development partners.

She announced that the convocation activities would commence on August 14 with the traditional Coconut Breaking and Cultural Day at the university’s main gate, followed by a Jumat service at the institution’s mosque.

The conferment of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees in Engineering and Agricultural Sciences is scheduled for August 17 at the Olatunji-Bello Auditorium, Epe Campus, where the two professors will also be formally elevated.

A convocation lecture titled “From LASU to the World: Harnessing the Nigerian Diaspora as the Seventh Region for National Development” will hold on August 18 at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo Campus.

The lecture will be delivered by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, while Hon. Tasir Wale Raji, representing Epe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, will chair the event.

The university will continue the conferment of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees on graduands from other faculties after the lecture, while professional and academic doctorate degrees will be awarded on August 19.

The week-long celebration will conclude on August 23 with a special thanksgiving service at the University Chapel, Chapel of Light, Ojo Campus.

With the recognition of leading figures in business and academia, alongside the unveiling of new programmes and infrastructure milestones, LASU says the combined convocation will reflect the institution’s growing influence in higher education and national development.