…says Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe (BCO) was instrumental to his journey of greatness.
Aerospace Engineering genius and Ogun State indigene, Samuel Oluolamide Adebanjo, on Monday made history as the Overall Best Graduating Student in the 2025/2026 academic session of Lagos State University (LASU), with a 4.97 CGPA, evoking ecstatic celebration at the Olatunji Bello Auditorium on the Epe Campus.
Tripod Times reports that Oluolamide’s near-perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.97 out of 5.00 firmly etched his name into the institution’s academic history books and as a defining moment at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony.
A whopping ₦10 million cash prize, presented to the valedictorian by Sunbeth Excellence Partnership Programme (SEPP) to institutionalize the celebration of scholastic brilliance, turned the formal academic event into an emotional spectacle.
While presenting the prize, a representative from SEPP explained that the ₦10 million endowment was an intentional investment in the future of the nation’s brightest minds. “This recognition is designed to celebrate outstanding performance among LASU students and drive a culture of innovation and hard work within the university community,” the corporate partner stated, emphasizing that the gesture aims to challenge future generations to chase similar heights.
Earlier in an interview, Adebanjo stated that Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe, popularly known as Dr. BCO was “instrumental to his journey of greatness”.
He spoke passionately about Ogundipe’s impact on his life. In a testimonial shared via the BCO Foundation on Instagram, Adebanjo highlighted several key contributions Ogundipe made to his success, describing Dr. BCO as a “man with vision” who served as an indispensable mentor to him in the field of aerospace engineering.
He revealed that before meeting Dr. BCO, he had heavily “struggled to make ends meet”. Dr. BCO altered this trajectory by placing him on a full Biodun Collins Ogundipe Foundation Scholarship from his 200-level right up to graduation.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, could not hide her pride as she commended the aerospace scholar. Delivering her address, she noted that the university’s investments in cutting-edge technology fields were yielding global-standard results. “Adebanjo’s emergence represents not only individual academic excellence but also the growing profile of Aerospace Engineering and space technology education at LASU,” the Vice-Chancellor announced to the applause of the audience.
Visibly emotional while holding the prize, Samuel Oluolamide Adebanjo delivered an inspiring valedictory speech that detailed the grueling late nights and sacrifices required to dominate a rigorous engineering curriculum.
He expressed profound gratitude to his lecturers, parents, and classmates for pushing him beyond his comfort zone. “I am deeply honored by this recognition and the immense generosity of SEPP; this award proves that persistence, discipline, and a passion for learning will always be rewarded,” the star graduate stated.
The ceremony also dedicated a special moment to honor Ayilara Lawal Olawale from the Project Management Technology department, who was celebrated as the best graduating student for the 2024/2025 academic session with an equally stunning 4.96 CGPA.
Commenting on the dual presentation, a senior academic dean remarked on the university’s rising standard. “Having two scholars cross the 4.95 threshold back-to-back shows that our academic ecosystem is thriving and producing students who can compete anywhere in the world. “
The 2026 combined convocation entered the university’s history books for another unique reason—it was the first time LASU hosted its main graduation ceremonies outside the main Ojo campus, moving the multi-day event to the Epe campus.
Parents and guardians present praised the decentralization, noting it brought a unique festive atmosphere to the host community. “Hosting this here showcases the vast growth of LASU’s campuses and gives Epe a historic sense of pride,” an attending parent noted during the open session.
Addressing the large gathering of over 20,000 graduating students, a visiting representative from the Lagos State Government praised the university’s management for maintaining academic stability. The government official emphasized that rewarding academic excellence remains the most effective way to steer youth away from societal vices. “When we see corporate bodies like SEPP teaming up with institutions to reward a student with ₦10 million, it sends a loud message to young people that education remains a vital tool for upward mobility,” the state representative declared.
University administrators revealed that the 2025/2026 graduating batch alone produced 232 First-Class graduates out of 8,653 students who received first degrees. Reflecting on these numbers, an external examiner present at the event praised the institution’s strict vetting processes. “Achieving a 4.97 CGPA in a class that features over two hundred First-Class minds shows that Adebanjo is truly an exceptional mind among equals,” the external examiner shared with reporters.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the campus community erupted into a parade of cheers, with students hoisting the newly minted aerospace engineer into the air.
