Being a message by the 9th Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University, LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, to members of the institution at the end of her tenure. She served from 20th September 2021 to 19th September 2026.
My Dear LASU Family,
I write to you for the last time as the 9th Substantive Vice-Chancellor and the second female Vice-Chancellor of our great University.
Today, I close a chapter of my life that has been one of the most defining of my career, not because it gave me any personal accomplishment to boast about, but because it gave me the greatest platform I have ever had to serve, contribute and make an impact on people and an institution that mean so much to me.
I remember with vivid clarity the morning of 16 September 2021, when I received the call informing me of my appointment as Vice-Chancellor. Four days later, I assumed office with a clear vision and the conviction that, working together, the LASU community would achieve great things.
Even so, I could not have imagined the scale of transformation that LASU would experience over the next five years.
We watched our programmes go through accreditation, established new faculties and schools, expanded our academic offerings, transformed our systems digitally, expanded our infrastructure and strengthened the University’s financial capacity. We saw our students excel in sports and academics, our researchers secure grants, new partnerships emerge and LASU gain greater visibility on the global academic map. We also celebrated when, for two consecutive years, LASU emerged as the most preferred university in the country.
These achievements did not happen because of one person. They happened because thousands of people believed that LASU could be better and were willing to contribute to making it so.
The journey was not without difficult moments. There were disruptions, disappointments, difficult decisions and difficult conversations. But those moments are also part of the story. And I believe we can say with confidence that LASU is in a better place today than it was five years ago.
For that, I am profoundly grateful.
I leave with confidence in the future of this great University and with the abiding belief that the best days of LASU are still ahead.
First, I give all glory to the Almighty God, who gave me the strength, wisdom and grace to begin this journey and, most importantly, to see it through. To Him alone be all the glory.
I am deeply grateful to the Government and people of Lagos State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr Babajide Olusola SANWO-OLU, for the confidence reposed in me and the support given to this University throughout my tenure.
I am equally grateful to the Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff and student Unions, alumni, development partners, friends of the University and every stakeholder in the LASU project.
And to every member of the LASU family, I say thank you.
Every achievement recorded during these five years belongs, in one way or another, to you. You made it happen through your prayers, support, sacrifices, dedication and hard work. You taught me, challenged me, supported me and, at different moments, reminded me that leadership is ultimately about people. I will always remember your commitment, resilience and the countless ways you gave of yourselves to make this University better.
What a journey it’s been. But no matter how remarkable, every journey has a beginning and, inevitably, an end.
I leave knowing that I did my part and gave my best to make LASU stronger, greater and better prepared for the future.
But the work is not finished. The work of building LASU is a continuing responsibility. The baton simply passes from one set of hands to another.
I leave with confidence in the future of this great University and with the abiding belief that the best days of LASU are still ahead.
As I take my leave, I ask that you continue to protect what we have built, continue to believe in this institution and continue to give your very best to it.
May you continue to make LASU proud. May LASU continue to rise.
Long live Lagos State University.
Long live Lagos State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We are LASU, We are Great!
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