Sanwo-Olu to Babcock Graduates: Innovation and Courage Pave Way for Success

Babcock University, located in Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, recently celebrated the graduation of 3,521 students, with a remarkable 306 achieving First-Class honours. The top academic honour went to Oluwapelumi Amosu, an Economics graduate who secured an outstanding CGPA of 4.96, earning her a N10 million prize for her exceptional performance.

During the convocation ceremony, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu addressed the graduating class, emphasizing the importance of courage, resilience, and innovation. He highlighted that true success in the global arena comes from preparation, consistency, and the ability to forge opportunities, rather than simply possessing potential.

Governor Sanwo-Olu delivered the convocation lecture, titled “Breaking New Grounds,” to the Class of 2025/2026, affectionately named the “Nova Class.” He encouraged them to maintain unwavering resolve amidst uncertainties and to perceive obstacles as crucial stepping stones towards achieving greatness.

“The word Nova is derived from Latin and also refers to a remarkable astronomical event characterised by a sudden burst of extraordinary brightness,” Sanwo-Olu stated. He elaborated, “Your class name is much more than an identity. It is a philosophy. It is a declaration. It is a prophecy. It symbolises a new dawn, renewed hope and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your lives.”

Extending his congratulations to the graduating cohort, the governor acknowledged Babcock University's esteemed reputation for cultivating globally competitive professionals across various fields. He noted the institution's consistent track record in nurturing leaders who contribute significantly to public service, healthcare, law, business, and other vital sectors.

Sanwo-Olu reminded the graduates that academic excellence alone would not guarantee success, underscoring the indispensable roles of discipline, thorough preparation, and the creation of tangible value. He declared, “The rehearsal is over. The time has come to step onto the global stage and demonstrate what you have learned, who you have become and what you are capable of achieving.” He further asserted, “The world does not automatically reward potential. It rewards preparation, value, consistency and the courage to create opportunities. You must demand excellence of yourselves every single day.”

Reflecting on his own graduation from the University of Lagos in 1988 with a degree in Surveying, Governor Sanwo-Olu drew a stark contrast between the analogue world of his youth and the prevailing digital landscape. He recounted how his generation entered a world devoid of the internet, mobile phones, email, or social media, instead relying on printed newspapers, fixed telephone lines, and handwritten correspondence.

“There was no internet. There were no mobile phones. There were no emails. There was certainly no TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat,” he recalled. “Today, you carry the world in your pockets. Information that once required weeks of research is now available in seconds. Opportunities that were once limited by geography are now accessible from almost anywhere.”

Despite these generational disparities, Sanwo-Olu maintained that the fundamental challenges remain constant. He advised, “Accept the world as it is—but never stop working to shape it into what it can become. Every generation inherits its own realities. Greatness belongs to those who embrace those realities and transform them into opportunities.”

The governor also encouraged the graduates to advance with faith, even when faced with an uncertain future. He quoted Hebrews 11:1, stating, “You do not need absolute certainty before taking your next step. What you need is faith,” to underscore that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Sharing insights from his personal journey, Sanwo-Olu recounted assuming the governorship of Lagos State on May 29, 2019. He described this as a significant leap into uncharted territory, despite his extensive years in public service. “I had served as Special Adviser, Commissioner in three ministries and headed government agencies, but I had never been Governor before,” he shared. “The uncertainty you feel today is exactly what I felt on that day.”

He further narrated how, barely nine months into his tenure, the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, presenting one of the most formidable leadership challenges of his career. He noted the absence of a clear guide or “playbook” for navigating such an unprecedented crisis. Despite global shortages of essential medical supplies like face masks, testing kits, and ventilators, his administration mobilized every available resource to implement one of the country's most comprehensive responses.

Sanwo-Olu stated that this experience reinforced the critical importance of heeding expert advice and basing decisions on evidence. He remarked, “One of the greatest lessons I learned from that experience is this: there is tremendous wisdom in seeking wise counsel. Never assume that you know everything or that you can navigate life’s challenges entirely on your own.”

The governor also recalled the #EndSARS protests, characterizing them as another defining leadership test that followed the pandemic. He detailed how the widespread unrest led to the destruction of public and private assets valued at billions of naira, including the state’s forensic laboratory and judicial facilities, resulting in substantial losses and disruption. “If I had thought COVID-19 would be the only baptism of fire I would experience in office, I was greatly mistaken. COVID-19 was only the first major test,” he admitted.

Urging the graduates to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity, Sanwo-Olu invoked lines from Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If—, encouraging them to maintain composure during turbulent times. He recited: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs… If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same; yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it.”

The governor further cautioned the graduates against succumbing to despair after experiencing failure. He acknowledged that “There will be disruptions. There will be disappointments. There will be setbacks. There will also be moments of triumph.” He stressed, “Whenever you fall, rise again,” adding, “You may start a business that fails. You may pursue an opportunity that does not work out. But every setback carries a lesson, and every lesson prepares you for the next opportunity.” Concluding this point, he declared, “Quitters never win. Remind yourselves every day: ‘I am a winner, not a quitter.’ The challenges you face today do not determine the successes you will enjoy tomorrow.”

Sanwo-Olu concluded his address by calling upon the Nova Class to embrace every new beginning with courage, faith, and determination. He expressed his strong confidence in their capacity to break new ground and make lasting contributions to society.

Earlier in the ceremony, Professor Afolarin Ojewole, the Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, extended his congratulations to the graduating students. He charged them to leverage the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to contribute positively to making the world a better place. Professor Ojewole encouraged the graduates to remain focused and hopeful, pursue their aspirations with courage, and consistently uphold the university's tradition of excellence. He also affirmed the university’s commitment to formulating policies and prioritizing investments aimed at building an institution that is stronger, more influential, innovative, and impactful than ever before.