Sanwo-Olu Installs Alara of Ilara as LASU’s First Traditional Ruler Chancellor
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially installed the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, as the sixth Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), describing the move as both historic and strategic for the institution’s future.
The investiture and swearing-in ceremony, held on Tuesday at the State House Banquet Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by members of the university’s governing council, top management officials, and prominent traditional rulers.
Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the appointment marks the first time a traditional ruler would serve as Chancellor since the university’s establishment, emphasizing that it reflects the government’s recognition of the enduring role of traditional institutions in governance, social cohesion, and moral leadership.
“This appointment is both deliberate and historic. For the first time, a traditional ruler holds the office of Chancellor. It reflects our recognition of traditional institutions in governance, social cohesion and moral leadership,” he said.
He described Oba Ogunsanwo’s emergence as a unique blend of tradition and modernity necessary for sustainable institutional progress, adding that the role of Chancellor goes beyond ceremonial duties to embody the university’s values and serve as a moral compass.
The governor further stated that the monarch’s track record in public service, including his tenure as chairman of the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service, makes him well-suited for the role. He urged the new Chancellor to uphold the institution’s dignity, foster unity, and promote academic excellence.
Sanwo-Olu also stressed the need for LASU to produce ethically grounded graduates and remain a centre for research that addresses contemporary societal challenges. He assured that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment while maintaining high expectations for accountability and performance.
The appointment, made under the Lagos State University Law, 2004 (as amended), grants the Chancellor a renewable five-year term. Oba Ogunsanwo succeeds Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), who has completed his tenure.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule, described the development as a fusion of “intellect, heritage, and higher learning,” expressing confidence in the monarch’s leadership at a crucial time in the university’s history.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Ogunsanwo pledged to work closely with the state government, governing council, and university management to strengthen institutional values, consolidate growth, and enhance LASU’s prestige.