‘Be future-ready,’ LASUSTECH VC tells 3,272 matriculating students

By : Guardian Nigeria

Date: 13 December 2025 3:55am WAT

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Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) (Administration), Prof Basirat Oladipupo (left); Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya and DVC (Academics), Prof Abiodun Denloye at the LASUSTECH matriculation ceremony held on Monday.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) (Administration), Prof Basirat Oladipupo (left); Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya and DVC (Academics), Prof Abiodun Denloye at the LASUSTECH matriculation ceremony held on Monday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, has officially welcomed 3,272 new undergraduates during its 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony held on Monday, urging them to proactively shape their own futures.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor framed the event as a formal commencement of undergraduate training, as he challenged the new undergraduates to prepare for an uncertain future by actively creating the one they desire, citing President John F. Kennedy’s moon-shot ambition as a historic example of such future-building.

He emphasised that the digital age presents vast opportunities for innovation, referencing how access to technology in Nigeria has dramatically expanded beyond past limitations. The address included a firm warning against negative vices such as cultism, indecent dressing, absenteeism, illicit drug use, and wrong associations, stating these would not create a positive future.

Students were instructed to commit fully to their academic work, be punctual, and take practical sessions seriously. They were also advised to build community, maintain contact with parents, and be traceable.

Looking beyond degree certification, the Vice-Chancellor stressed the importance of developing market-ready skills, competencies, and innovative attitudes. He called on students to conceive solutions to national problems, suggesting possibilities like manufacturing multipurpose drones or developing new algorithms.

Using the discovery of insulin as an inspiration, he concluded by asserting that if students can imagine an innovation, they can create it. He encouraged total commitment to their studies, noting that their time at the university will conclude in just four or five years.

“Today indeed is a day of good news. The matriculation ceremony marks your formal admission and commencement of your undergraduate training.

“The way to take uncertainty out of the future is to create the future you genuinely want. I urge you, therefore, to be future ready undergraduates. I urge you to think of many things and create in this digital age, because many others created the future we now live in.”

The address outlined three core pillars for student success: understanding consequences, total commitment to academic work, and looking beyond the degree itself. “A degree may just be a piece of paper, but the skills, the competencies, the knowledge that you should bring to it will define what you get out of that degree,” he explained.

Encouraging practical innovation, the Vice Chancellor told the students: “If you can imagine it, you can create it.” He suggested they could develop solutions like multipurpose drones or new algorithms, and even contribute to critical medical research.

Speaking on the significance of the event, the Vice Chancellor described matriculation as a university prerequisite “where students are formally admitted to join the academic community” and where expectations for behavior and academic journey are set. He marked the occasion as a milestone for the institution, which began with no students three years ago and now has a total population exceeding 12,600.

“It’s a day of joy, Day of good news that we can shape this large number of future Nigerian leaders to deliver and to contribute to the nation.”

Meanwhile, he confirmed the university’s capacity to accommodate the growing student body.

While taking the matriculation oath, the students pledged not to involve in any illegal activity nor join any unregistered association.

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