The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the state government is willing to provide grants to young innovators whose ideas offer practical solutions, urging graduates to develop evidence-based innovations capable of delivering measurable impact. 

Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday while delivering the commencement address at Babcock University’s 24th undergraduate convocation ceremony, where 3,521 students graduated across various disciplines. Of the graduating class, 306 earned First Class honours.

He challenged the graduates to pursue innovation over imitation and proficiency over popularity, warning against societal trends that celebrate entertainment at the expense of expertise.

“If you choose to innovate and want to solve a public sector problem, go and research and look for an agency. We will be willing to listen to you. We will see how we can give you grants, not loans, for you to innovate, think and develop solutions that will benefit the public,” he said.

Government ready to support practical innovations

Mr Sanwo-Olu stressed that innovation must outlive individuals and become institutionalised if it is to deliver lasting impact.

According to him, governments are more likely to adopt ideas that have been tested, documented and supported by measurable evidence.

“Come with real ideas. Measure them honestly and document them rigorously. The facts of measurable results will open doors in any industry,” he said.

He encouraged the graduates to begin by testing their ideas on a small scale before seeking wider adoption.

“Demonstrate actions on a small scale. The fuel of measurable actions will open doors. Come with ideas that you birthed and can defend. I can assure you that the government and institutions will listen to you.”

The governor added that innovations should be designed around solving public problems rather than pursuing personal recognition.

Choose expertise over popularity

Referencing ongoing conversations on social media tagged “Olodo Uprising,” Mr Sanwo-Olu cautioned the graduates against embracing narratives that glorify ignorance or place popularity above competence.

“Make up your mind today that you will never glorify ignorance and you will never lack curiosity,” he said.

He urged the graduates to pursue expertise rather than social validation, noting that the digital age has made knowledge more accessible than ever before.

According to him, young professionals must use information creatively and responsibly to solve real-world problems instead of seeking fleeting online recognition.

He also advised the graduates against comparing their journeys with those of others. “Find your own path. Do not try to copy and paste another person’s life.”

Embrace failure as part of personal growth

Drawing from his personal experience, Mr Sanwo-Olu encouraged the graduates to see failure as part of growth rather than a reason to abandon their ambitions.

He recalled that assuming office as governor in 2019 placed him in unfamiliar territory before the COVID-19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests tested his administration.

“On the day I was sworn in, I had done many things, but I had never served as governor before. What you feel today was what I felt then,” he said.

He said every new phase of life comes with uncertainty and challenges, urging the graduates not to be discouraged by setbacks. “Don’t give up. Quitters never win, and winners never quit.”

According to him, life rewards resilience, adaptability and the willingness to continue learning even after failure.

Best graduating student credits consistency for success

A total of 3,521 students graduated during the ceremony, with Amosu Oluwapelumi of the Department of Economics emerging as the university’s overall best graduating student after attaining a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.96.

In recognition of her exceptional academic performance, Oluwapelumi was awarded an annual N10 million Sunbeth Excellence Partnership Programme (SEPP) award. She also received multiple awards, including the President’s Award, the Senior Vice President’s Award for the highest CGPA at the undergraduate level, and the Professor Ademola and Grace Tayo Award for Excellence in Character, Leadership and Academics.

Reflecting on her achievement, the Economics graduate attributed her success to consistency, dedication and making the right decisions every day.

She said her outstanding academic performance was not the result of extraordinary brilliance but of sustained effort throughout her years at the university.

She added that she never regretted choosing Economics, describing her lecturers as supportive and instrumental to her academic journey.

According to Oluwapelumi, her passion for calculations gave her an advantage in her studies and strengthened her interest in the discipline.

She encouraged younger students to see excellence as the product of daily discipline rather than an achievement reserved for a select few.

“Think of excellence not as one extraordinary thing, but as tiny ordinary decisions made every day. You don’t just wake up one day and achieve it. You have to be consistent and dedicated,” she said.

Vice Chancellor unveils GRACE Agenda

Earlier, the President and Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Afolarin Ojewole, a professor, described the convocation as a celebration of God’s faithfulness and the collective efforts of parents, staff, alumni and other stakeholders in advancing the institution.

Delivering his first convocation address as Vice Chancellor, Mr Ojewole unveiled the university’s GRACE Agenda, a five-pillar strategic framework that will guide Babcock University’s 2025-2030 development plan.

According to him, GRACE represents the institution’s commitment to becoming Globally Relevant, Research-Focused, Adventist-Rooted, Competent and Entrepreneurial.

He said the framework would position Babcock University among Africa’s leading faith-based universities while strengthening its capacity to produce graduates equipped to address emerging global challenges.

University records institutional milestones

Highlighting recent achievements, the Vice Chancellor announced that Babcock University had entered the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, describing the feat as evidence of the institution’s growing global reputation.

He also listed the reaccreditation of 13 academic programmes, the presentation of 27 new programmes to the National Universities Commission (NUC), expanded international collaborations, and the establishment of a Career Services Unit to improve graduate employability.

Mr Ojewole acknowledged the contributions of the university’s Governing Council, faculty, alumni, parents and development partners, saying their support had been instrumental in sustaining the institution’s growth and commitment to academic excellence.