By Henry Oladele

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has applauded Lagos State University (LASU) for being the most sought-after institution in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Sanwo-Olu also urged the university community to collaborate with other bodies through in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The governor spoke at the 2025 SDGs Certification Training for Deans, Directors and Students of LASU at the university’s main campus, Ojo.

The governor was represented by his Special Adviser on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LASU topped the list of sought-after institutions in the country in the 2025 UTME, with 79,000 candidates.

The University of Lagos came second with 58,645 candidates choosing it as their first choice of institution.

The governor said at the training that the state government and its agencies were known for excellence.

Sanwo-Olu said that SDGs were aimed to tackle socio-economic challenges, urging the university community to collaborate with relevant agencies in contributing to the achievement of  SDGs.

According to him, inward-looking solutions will continue to put the state ahead of others.

“As an institution, you should be concerned about what the state is doing to achieve the SDGs and key into it with a view to solving community challenges.

“The state has been creating awareness on what it is doing on SDGs; therefore, bring knowledge-driven solutions while state government offers platforms to achieving such,” he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof.  Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said that the university had been encouraging its staff and students to solve societal problems.

Olatunji-Bello was represented by her Deputy (Academics), Prof. Taiwo Afisi.

She described all the 17 SDGs as essential to humanity.

She said that the university community would deploy scientific approaches to contribute to achieving the goals.

Dr Farzana Sharmin, Associate Economic Affairs Officer at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said that Africa had made progress in its efforts at achieving the SDGs.

She, however, said that a lot still needed to be achieved.

Sharmin spoke on the  2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report Progress.

“I recommend investment in skills, youth education, leveraging solidarity through cooperation, mobilisation of finance and strengthening partnerships,” she said.

The official also recommended strengthening of institutions for sound economic governance, investment in data infrastructure, and using emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola