Sanwo-Olu Names Epe Monarch to Drive LASU Growth
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has elevated royal authority into the heart of higher education, appointing the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, as the new Chancellor of Lagos State University.
The ceremony at the State House in Alausa marked more than a routine installation; it signalled a historic turning point. As the university’s sixth chancellor, Oba Ogunsanwo becomes the first traditional ruler to assume the role since LASU’s inception, ushering in a new era that intertwines cultural heritage with institutional leadership.
Sanwo-Olu, in his capacity as Visitor to the university, framed the appointment as a calculated step toward redefining governance within the academic space. He underscored the enduring relevance of traditional institutions, describing them as anchors of moral guidance, unity, and community progress, qualities he believes are critical to sustaining LASU’s upward trajectory.
Taking over from Gbolahan Elias, the new chancellor arrives with a wealth of administrative experience, including his tenure as chairman of the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service. His blend of public service expertise and royal influence is expected to inject both stability and cultural depth into the university’s leadership.
Addressing stakeholders, the governor tasked the monarch with preserving LASU’s core values while strengthening cohesion across its governing structures. He emphasised the need for the institution to remain a breeding ground for innovation, policy-relevant research, and graduates equipped not just with knowledge but with a strong sense of social responsibility.
With a five-year term on the horizon, renewable upon review, Oba Ogunsanwo’s appointment is widely seen as the beginning of a transformative chapter, one that could redefine how leadership is imagined within Nigeria’s academic institutions.
As Lagos sharpens its ambition to become a knowledge-driven hub, this rare convergence of crown and campus may prove to be a powerful blueprint for the future.
