Babcock honours Sanwo-Olu, charges graduates to reject ignorance, break new ground

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been honoured with the Leadership and Service Award by Babcock University in recognition of what the institution described as his outstanding performance and excellence in governance.

This is even as he challenged graduates to embrace innovation, resilience and lifelong learning while rejecting the growing culture of glorifying ignorance.

The award was presented on Sunday during the university’s 2026 undergraduate convocation ceremony in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, where Sanwo-Olu delivered the convocation lecture titled, “Breaking New Ground: Faith, Grit and the Work of New Beginnings,” before more than 3,400 graduating students, academics, parents and other distinguished guests.

Receiving the honour, the governor described leadership as a sacred responsibility rooted in integrity, accountability and service.

“It is a humbling experience and another call for us to continue to serve. We must lead with the fear of God, understanding that people are watching us and that we are expected to provide good examples for younger generations,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said his presence at the convocation was not only to celebrate the graduates but also to inspire them as they prepared to begin a new phase of their lives.

“I am not a graduand. I am here because, as a leader, we need to continue to encourage young people, share our experiences with them and let them know that life is waiting for them out there,” he said.

He congratulated the graduating NOVA Class of 2026, describing their transition from university as one of life’s defining moments and urging them to confront uncertainty with courage and faith.

“You do not need absolute clarity or certainty to take the next step. More important is faith,” he said, encouraging the graduates to embrace new opportunities rather than fear the unknown.

Reflecting on his personal journey, the governor recounted how several business ventures failed after graduating from the University of Lagos nearly four decades ago, noting that failure often provides valuable lessons for future success.

According to him, life rewards those who recover quickly from setbacks, adapt to changing realities and remain focused on their goals.

He urged the graduates to believe in Nigeria and take advantage of the vast opportunities available to them through technology, innovation and globalisation.

“Nearly 40 years ago when we graduated, the world was completely different. We had very little compared to what is available today. They need to understand the world they live in. They should not give excuses or reasons why they cannot succeed. They should embrace the opportunities before them and run with them,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also reflected on the defining moments of his administration, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS crisis as leadership tests that underscored the importance of resilience, expert advice and evidence-based decision-making.

Highlighting Lagos’ development over the past seven years, he said the state’s annual budget had grown from less than ₦900 billion in 2019 to ₦4.44 trillion in 2026, while the government had expanded rail infrastructure, strengthened public transportation, established two new state universities, delivered thousands of housing units and consolidated Lagos’ position as a global technology hub.

The governor advised young innovators to build practical solutions to public problems, urging them to pilot their ideas, generate measurable results and engage government through structured partnerships and innovation frameworks.

He also defended ongoing economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu, describing them as necessary measures aimed at laying the foundation for sustainable national growth despite the temporary hardships they impose.

In one of the highlights of his lecture, Sanwo-Olu cautioned against the growing tendency to celebrate ignorance and social media virality over knowledge and competence, referencing the recent debate surrounding the so-called “Olodo Uprising.”

“There is nothing wrong with building an audience—but let what you offer that audience be built on substance,” he said, urging the graduates never to glorify ignorance but to remain committed to learning, curiosity and excellence.

He further encouraged the graduates to protect their integrity, seek mentorship, finish what they start and combine education with imagination to create solutions capable of transforming society.

“The future belongs to those armed with education and vision,” he said.

Commending Babcock University, Sanwo-Olu described the institution as one that has consistently maintained high academic standards and produced graduates who have distinguished themselves across diverse professions.

He said the university had continued to provide students with the knowledge, skills and values required to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Miss Simisola Abore described the academic journey as challenging but rewarding, thanking God for preserving the students throughout their years of study.

“It was a struggle, but we thank God that we have graduated. We thank God for keeping us alive throughout the journey,” she said.

Abore urged her fellow graduates to remain united as alumni and always give back to society.

“My advice to my fellow graduands is that we should stand firm as alumni of Babcock University and always be ready to give back to the community,” she added.

Sanwo-Olu congratulated the graduates on completing their studies and urged them to uphold the values of excellence, discipline and integrity instilled in them by the university as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.