LASUSTECH Marks 4th Founder’s Day, FUTA VC Urges Stronger University–Industry Collaboration

The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) celebrated its 4th Founder’s Day with renewed emphasis on university–industry partnerships, enhanced grant acquisition, and increased government investment in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to drive Nigeria’s technological development.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Adenike Oladiji, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), called on universities of technology to align with Nigeria’s STI policy and strengthen collaborations with industry. She highlighted the need for institutions to attract competitive research grants and suggested forming a consortium of Nigerian universities of technology for resource sharing.

Professor Oladiji also urged greater government support for early-stage research, noting that private industries often underinvest in foundational studies. She recommended policies requiring industries to allocate a portion of their R&D budgets to universities, warning that inadequate engagement would undermine Nigeria’s developmental roadmap.

The Vice-Chancellor of LASUSTECH, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, highlighted the university’s rapid expansion, noting that student enrollment now exceeds 12,600, with 39 of 41 academic programmes presented for accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC). He announced that the first set of degree students will graduate in August 2026, with the maiden convocation scheduled for February 2, 2027.

Professor Odusanya also underscored investments in infrastructure, staff capacity-building, and student achievements, including recent inductions into the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He unveiled an annual prize for the best graduating student, endowed in his name and that of his wife.

Scholarship awards were presented to five top-performing students from each college, with the Overall Best Student Award going to Ruth Ayomide Ajayi, a 300-level Animal Science student from the College of Agriculture, who achieved a remarkable CGPA of 4.97.

The 4th Founder’s Day celebration reinforced LASUSTECH’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s technological future through strategic partnerships, sustained investment, and a focus on science and innovation.