Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote has pledged ₦600 million through the Aliko Dangote Foundation towards the construction of a hostel for female students at Lagos State University (LASU).
Dangote also announced that first-class graduates in Engineering and Science-related disciplines would receive priority consideration for employment opportunities at the Dangote Group after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
The announcements were made during LASU’s convocation ceremony on Friday, where the university celebrated more than 20,600 graduates from the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
Dangote, who was represented by his daughter at the event, was conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Entrepreneurship and Human Capital Development in recognition of his contributions to business, education and society.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation plans to invest $70 million annually over the next 10 years in education, teacher training and technical education across Africa.
The foundation currently operates scholarship programmes and supports practical skills development for graduates preparing to enter the industrial sector.
The Dangote Group currently employs more than 52,000 people across Nigeria and 11 other African countries.
Also at the ceremony, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rewarded academic excellence by presenting ₦20 million each to the university’s two overall best graduating students.
The best graduating student from the 2024/2025 academic session recorded a CGPA of 4.96, while the top student from the 2025/2026 session graduated with a CGPA of 4.97. Both students graduated with first-class honours.
In total, LASU produced 494 first-class graduates across the two academic sessions.
Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted his administration’s investment in the university, including library complexes, lecture theatres, student accommodation and more than 50 other infrastructure projects supported by the state and federal governments.
Dangote was among three prominent Nigerians honoured with honorary doctorate degrees during the convocation for their contributions to business and the development of society.