LASU Begins 2026 with Inter-Faith Prayer as VC Reaffirms Commitment to Staff Welfare

Lagos State University (LASU) formally commenced the 2026 work year with its annual Inter-Faith Prayer Programme held on Monday, 5 January 2026, at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Main Campus, Ojo. The event attracted a large turnout of staff and students who gathered to dedicate the new year to God.

The Muslim prayer session was led by Professor Aminu, Head of the Muslim Community in LASU, while the Christian prayer was conducted by Professor Ayo Ayodele, Chaplain of the LASU Chapel of Light.

Addressing the university community, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, underscored the importance of the annual prayer programme, noting that it was introduced by her administration in 2022 out of the firm belief that institutional success is incomplete without divine guidance.

She stated that the university’s consistent tradition of beginning each year with prayers has yielded visible and measurable results, as reflected in the institution’s steady growth and achievements.

Reflecting on the 2025 academic year, the Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to God for what she described as a year of exceptional progress and landmark accomplishments. She highlighted LASU’s emergence as the most subscribed university in Nigeria in 2025, describing the development as a strong vote of confidence in the institution by prospective students and their families.

Professor Olatunji-Bello commended members of staff for their dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence, stressing that their collective efforts remain the backbone of the university’s rising profile and national recognition.

She further acknowledged that the achievements recorded by her administration over the past four years were the product of teamwork and shared vision, noting that leadership success within the university is a collective responsibility.

Looking ahead, the Vice-Chancellor described 2026 as a transition year and called on the university community to sustain the culture of prayer and cooperation. She reaffirmed her administration’s unwavering commitment to staff welfare, pledging to continue advocating for improved working conditions until the end of her tenure.

In her closing remarks and prayers, Professor Olatunji-Bello invoked blessings of peace, protection, good health, and divine favor upon staff and students, expressing confidence that the university would continue to excel and fulfill its mandate in the new year.

The programme concluded in an atmosphere of reverence and renewed commitment, as the LASU community collectively set the tone for a productive and successful 2026.