Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, fnli, FSPSP, has bid farewell to the Lagos State University (LASU) community as she rounds off her tenure as the institution’s 9th Substantive Vice-Chancellor and second female Vice-Chancellor.
In a farewell message to the university community, Olatunji-Bello described her five-year tenure as one of the most defining journeys of her career, saying it provided her with the opportunity to serve, contribute and make an impact on an institution she deeply values.
She recalled receiving the news of her appointment on September 16, 2021, and assuming office four days later with a clear vision and a conviction that the LASU community could achieve great things together.
According to her, she could not have imagined the scale of transformation the university would experience during the five years.
She listed the accreditation of programmes, establishment of new faculties and schools, expansion of academic offerings, digital transformation, infrastructural development and strengthening of the university’s financial capacity among the achievements recorded during her tenure.
Olatunji-Bello also highlighted LASU students’ successes in sports and academics, research grants secured by academics, new partnerships and the university’s increased visibility on the global academic map.
She noted that LASU emerged as the most preferred university in the country for two consecutive years.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, stressed that the achievements were not the product of one individual but the collective efforts of thousands of members of the LASU community.
She acknowledged that her administration also experienced disruptions, disappointments, difficult decisions and difficult conversations, but expressed confidence that LASU was in a better position at the end of her tenure.
Olatunji-Bello gave glory to God for giving her the strength, wisdom and grace to lead the university and expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the confidence and support extended to the institution.
She also thanked the Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff, student unions, alumni, development partners, friends of the university and other stakeholders for their contributions.
Addressing members of the LASU family, she said every achievement recorded during her tenure belonged, in one way or another, to them, acknowledging their prayers, sacrifices, dedication and hard work.
She said she was leaving with the satisfaction that she had given her best to make LASU stronger, greater and better prepared for the future.
Olatunji-Bello emphasised that the work of building LASU was not finished, describing leadership as a baton that passes from one set of hands to another.
She expressed confidence in the future of the university and urged members of the LASU community to protect the achievements recorded, continue believing in the institution and give their best to its development.
She concluded her farewell message with the words: “May you continue to make LASU proud. May LASU continue to rise.”
She then declared: “Long live Lagos State University. Long live Lagos State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are LASU, We are Great!”
