The Chief Executive Officer of iCentra Consulting and winner of the prestigious PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year Award, Mr. Muyiwa Babayeju, has inspired students of Lagos State University (LASU) with a passionate call to excellence, purpose, and value-driven leadership. Babayeju, himself an alumnus of LASU, made a triumphant return to his alma mater as the keynote speaker at the “Inspiring Excellence Tour Lagos,” hosted at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre.
As part of the event, Babayeju announced a ₦5 million endowment fund for the best final-year project in the Department of Physics. The initiative will see ₦500,000 awarded annually over a 10-year period to students with the most outstanding research work. The gesture was met with loud applause and heartfelt admiration from students and faculty, as it marked a significant contribution to academic growth and innovation in the university.
Themed “Inspiring Excellence, Empowering the Next Generation”, the tour was organised under the TAB Development Initiatives, with the aim of nurturing a culture of intentional leadership, innovation, and impactful service among young Nigerians. It attracted a large audience made up of students, lecturers, and university administrators from the Departments of Physics and Project Management.
In his stirring keynote address, Babayeju encouraged students to see life as a project that requires planning, discipline, and execution. “Life is a project, and you must chart your course with intention. Success isn’t handed out—it’s earned through vision, strategy, and execution,” he told the enthusiastic audience.
He emphasised that leadership is not about titles or certificates, but about value creation. “Those who create value don’t chase money—money finds them,” Babayeju stated, urging students to embrace excellence as a habit, not a destination.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Moses Akanbi, praised Babayeju for choosing LASU as the first stop on the national tour. “This moment is a testament to what it means to give back. Excellence is what we must continue to uphold if we are to lead transformation,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Acting Head of the Department of Physics, Dr. Oluwafunmilayo Ometan, described Babayeju as a shining example of leadership and impact. She appreciated the platform’s commitment to student empowerment and commended the university leadership for making the event possible.
One of the highlights of the programme was the launch of #Project1500, a new free capacity-building initiative. LASU has been selected as the first university to benefit, with 100 students from the Physics and Project Management departments scheduled to receive training in project management, digital transformation, and agile methodologies.
There was also a vibrant career session, a student knowledge quiz with prizes, and the distribution of signed copies of Babayeju’s book UNLOCK, aimed at helping youths reach their full potential.
Following the event, Babayeju, accompanied by a delegation, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, where he was warmly received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Oseni Afisi, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM.
During the visit, Babayeju reflected on his personal journey through LASU and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the university’s continued growth. He said his return was not only emotional but deeply purposeful. “This is home, and it’s only right that we give back to where it all began,” he said.
In a show of solidarity, Dr. Kayode Akinade, Group CEO of Glovis Global and a close associate of Babayeju, pledged a separate ₦10 million donation to support the Faculty of Science. The announcement drew more excitement and appreciation from the academic community.
Prof. Afisi, in his remarks, thanked both Babayeju and Akinade for their generosity, describing their actions as examples of true alumni leadership. He reaffirmed LASU’s mission to continue producing graduates who will lead across sectors and make meaningful impact globally.
The event concluded with a guided tour of the Faculty of Science and one-on-one interactions between the leadership team and the alumni guests. The day stood as a shining example of the power of alumni engagement, community support, and the long-term value of education.
