Hails education as ‘passport to prosperity’ – Sanwo-Olu
By Sakariyah, Ridwanullah
When the ribbon was cut on 21st of October, 2025, at the Ojo campus of Lagos State University (LASU), the commissioning of the new library complex marked more than the opening of bricks; it emblemed a bold statement of intent. Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu paused at the threshold of the new building (library complex), which bears his name, and said, “For me, leadership is not about leaving one’s name on walls, but about leaving an impact in people’s lives.” The newly commissioned Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex stands as Lagos State’s latest investment in education, and of course, a public affirmation that knowledge and innovation still sit at the heart of its vision.
Truth be told, the library itself is massive and impressive. During the unveiling, the governor described it as “a place where printed words meet digital possibilities, and where heritage meets innovation.” As it was designed to serve students across disciplines, it features expansive reading lounges, innovation labs equipped with digital tools, and high-capacity archives that combine traditional books with e-harvested databases. Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the project is embedded in the THEMES+ Agenda, which positions education and technology as twin engines of development.
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During his address, the governor acknowledged predecessors who set the pace for this continued vision. He thanked the administrations of Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Akinwunmi Ambode for laying educational foundations. “We see this not just as an infrastructure masterpiece but as part of our ongoing investment in minds,” he said. He also extended gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “continued commitment to human-capital development,” which indicates the interplay of state and federal priorities in advancing learning.
On hand was the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who described the complex as “an architectural masterpiece for learning, innovation and growth.” He urged other state governments to emulate Lagos’s example in prioritising human capital through educational infrastructure.
Staff members and students from various faculties graced and live-streamed the occasion. In a report from Independent Newspaper Nigeria, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare, Chairman of ASUU-LASU, lauded the facility but asked for continued support: “The building is great, but maintenance, access for staff and equitable services matter long-term.”
The building itself covers thousands of square metres, and it is described as “the biggest university library in West Africa,” as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria. With dedicated innovation labs, a digital-research hub, and space for group collaborations, the complex reflects a broader shift in Lagos’s higher-education ecosystem, from basic facilities to innovation platforms.
Indeed, the unveiling fits within a steady cadence of investment. Under Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, Lagos has upgraded school buildings, introduced the EkoDigital initiative and launched technology hubs across tertiary institutions. As the governor told guests, “Education remains the bridge between potential and purpose, the most enduring legacy any generation can bequeath to the next.”
During the ceremony, Professor Bakare was explicit when he said: “We thank the state for the building, now we need promised recurrent funding and staff welfare to match the space.” In response, Sanwo-Olu promised, “We will ensure that we do not owe LASU any money whatsoever,” signalling intent but requiring follow-through.
Visual elements at the event offered glimpses of that future: student-led drone demonstrations in the innovation labs, interactive screens showcasing archives, and lounge spaces styled for workshops and hackathons. Event photographers captured clusters of students exploring VR sets and digital catalogues. This is symbolic of a changing culture around learning. Infographics released by LASU highlighted amenities: over 500,000 digital titles, 1,200 physical study pods, 15 innovation studios and round-the-clock access for postgraduate researchers, The Guardian stated.
As the crowd dispersed, Governor Sanwo-Olu offered his closing thought: “Let this library be a soil from which the next Nobel laureate, groundbreaking author or visionary leader springs. The building may age, but knowledge, invention and service will endure,” Vanguard reported.
The Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, thus, stands at the intersection of ambition and accountability. It shines today as one of Africa’s largest university libraries, yet its true success will be measured in years to come – by students writing dissertations, innovators launching startups, and LASU graduates leading change. In an era where education is often tagged the “passport to prosperity,” Lagos has stamped a new visa for such a future.
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As the keys were handed over, one thing remains a bitter truism: the building may host books, screens, and labs, but the real infrastructure being built is hope. And for a generation of students in Nigeria’s most populous state, that might be the most important contract of all.
