The Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, has delivered a powerful charge to the institution's newly admitted students. Speaking at the matriculation ceremony for first-year and direct entry students held on 8 January 2026, he implored them to be architects of their own destiny and prepare diligently for the future.
A Call to Create, Not Just Consume
Professor Odusanya framed the matriculation as the official start of the students' undergraduate training and a pivotal moment in their academic lives. He challenged them to directly confront the unknowns of tomorrow by becoming active creators. "The way to take uncertainty out of the future is to create the future you genuinely want," he stated.
He encouraged the fresh undergraduates to harness the possibilities of the digital era, noting that the present world was built by past innovators. "I urge you to think of many things and create in this digital age, because many others created the future we now live in," Odusanya advised. He cited the ambitious moonshot vision of former US President John F. Kennedy as a historical example of how bold thinking can shape reality.
Warnings and Essential Advice for Success
The Vice-Chancellor did not shy away from highlighting pitfalls that could jeopardize the students' journeys. He strongly cautioned against engaging in:
- Cultism
- Indecent dressing
- Absenteeism from lectures
- Drug abuse
- Wrong associations
He emphasized that such vices are counterproductive to building a positive and successful future. Instead, he provided a clear blueprint for academic excellence:
- Attend lectures punctually.
- Participate fully in practical sessions.
- Maintain personal discipline.
- Stay connected with parents and be traceable at all times.
Beyond the Degree: Skills for National Relevance
Professor Odusanya placed significant emphasis on the value of practical skills and innovative thinking over mere certification. "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 remarked.
He stressed that the goal is to produce graduates who are market-ready and nationally relevant. The VC urged students to look beyond their textbooks and begin conceptualizing solutions to pressing challenges in Nigeria and the world at large. He specifically pointed to fields ripe for innovation such as technology, engineering, and medical research.
In conclusion, the LASUSTECH matriculation ceremony served as both a welcome and a clarion call. Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya's message was clear: the future is not a distant event to be awaited, but a reality to be deliberately built by skilled, disciplined, and visionary undergraduates.
