Dangote offers LASU first-class graduates jobs, drops ₦600m hostel promise

Precious Omolu 14:13 - 21 August 2026

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Aliko Dangote was represented by his daughter, Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote, at LASU’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies, where he was honoured with an honorary doctorate degree

Dangote has offered LASU first-class Engineering and Science graduates job opportunities after NYSC and pledged ₦600m to build a female hostel at the university.

Aliko Dangote Foundation pledged ₦600 million for a female hostel at Lagos State University.
LASU first-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences may get jobs with Dangote Group after NYSC.
The university graduated 20,604 students across the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 sessions.
Two LASU best graduating students received ₦20 million each from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

For many Nigerian graduates, getting a job after school is usually the next big battle. But for some Lagos State University (LASU) first-class graduates, there could be a new opportunity waiting after NYSC, thanks to Aliko Dangote.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, has promised employment opportunities for first-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences from LASU, while also pledging ₦600 million for the construction of a hostel for female students.

The announcements were made during LASU’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.

Dangote, who was represented at the ceremony by his daughter, Hajia Fatima Aliko Dangote, was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business Honoris Causa in Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Human Capital Development.

LASU celebrated 20,604 graduates from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, including 494 students who earned First Class honours.

According to the university management, the ₦600 million commitment from the Aliko Dangote Foundation will support the construction of accommodation for female students, addressing part of the housing challenges faced by students.

LASU also revealed that first-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences from the two graduating sessions will get preferential consideration for employment with Dangote Group after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

The university said, “First-class graduates in Engineering and Sciences from the graduating class would receive preferential consideration for employment with the Dangote Group after completing their National Youth Service Corps programme.”

The move is expected to give some of LASU’s top-performing students a smoother transition from university life into the workforce, especially at a time when many young Nigerians struggle to find jobs after graduation.

The Dangote Group currently employs over 52,000 people across Nigeria and 11 other African countries. The company also runs the Dangote Academy, which provides practical training for graduates looking to build careers in the industrial sector.

Ayilara Lawal Olawale and Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide were recognised as the overall best graduating students for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 sessions, respectively.

Beyond LASU, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has also invested in education through scholarship programmes and announced plans to spend $70 million annually over the next 10 years on areas including secondary and tertiary education, teacher training, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and technical and vocational education.

The LASU convocation celebrated 20,604 graduates from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions, with 494 students graduating with First Class honours.

For the 2024/2025 session, Ayilara Lawal Olawale from the Department of Project Management emerged as the overall best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.96.

In the 2025/2026 session, Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide from the Department of Aerospace Engineering took the top spot with a CGPA of 4.97. Both students graduated with First Class honours.

LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, disclosed that 262 students achieved First Class honours in the 2024/2025 academic session, while 232 students recorded the same feat in the 2025/2026 session.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu awarded ₦20 million each to LASU’s two overall best graduating students during the university’s convocation ceremony.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also rewarded the two overall best graduating students with ₦20 million each.

The governor, in his final convocation address as LASU’s Visitor, congratulated the graduates, their families, sponsors and lecturers while highlighting infrastructure projects completed under his administration, including the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, lecture theatres, halls and student accommodation.

The university said more than 50 infrastructure projects have been completed through support from the Lagos State Government, Federal Government, TETFund, private-sector partners and internally generated revenue.

Dangote was among three Nigerians honoured with honorary doctorate degrees during the ceremony. Others recognised were Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, and Harriet-Ann Omobola (Bola) Adesola for their contributions to leadership, business and societal development.

The LASU Chancellor, Oba Dr Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, described the convocation as a moment of “joy, humility and gratitude,” while appreciating the Lagos State Government for its continued support for education and human capital development.