The Chief Executive Officer of iCentra and recipient of the PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year Award, recently delivered a keynote address at the Lagos State University, encouraging students to pursue purpose, passion, and excellence in their academic and professional journeys.
A statement from the firm also stated that Babayeju, a LASU alumnus, announced a N5m endowment fund for the best final-year project in the Department of Physics — N500,000 to be awarded annually over 10 years.
“The gesture was received with applause and admiration, highlighting his unwavering commitment to academic development and innovation,” according to the statement.
It stated that the event, held at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre, was part of the Inspiring Excellence Tour Lagos, organised under the TAB Development Initiatives. Themed “Inspiring Excellence, Empowering the Next Generation,” the tour aimed to ignite a culture of value-driven leadership and impactful service among LASU students.
Speaking to a packed audience of students, faculty members, and guests from the Departments of Physics and Project Management, Babayeju urged the students to unlock their full potential and leave a lasting impact on their generation.
“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 said. He emphasised that excellence and value creation, not mere credentials, define true leadership and success. “Those who create value don’t chase money—money finds them.”
In his welcome remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof Moses Akanbi, commended Babayeju for his return to LASU and the significance of choosing the university as the first stop of the national excellence 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.
Acting Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Oluwafunmilayo Ometan, also praised Babayeju’s inspirational leadership and dedication to building future-ready graduates. She extended appreciation to the university leadership and expressed gratitude for the support that brought the event to life.
The highlight of the programme included an engaging career session with students, a knowledge quiz with exciting rewards — including signed copies of Babayeju’s book UNLOCK — and the announcement of #Project1500, a free capacity-building initiative.
LASU will be the first institution to benefit from this initiative, with 100 students from the Physics and Project Management departments to be selected for training in project management, digital transformation, and agile methodologies.
Following the programme, Babayeju led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, where they were warmly received by Prof Oseni Afisi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM.
During the visit, Babayeju shared heartfelt reflections on his LASU journey and reiterated his commitment to contributing to its legacy. In a heartfelt show of solidarity, Dr Kayode Akinade, Group CEO of Glovis Global and associate of Babayeju, pledged a ₦10m donation to the faculty.
In his remarks, Prof Afisi expressed the university’s deep appreciation for the endowments and reaffirmed LASU’s commitment to nurturing leaders who will drive positive transformation across sectors.
The event concluded with a guided tour of the Faculty of Science and interactions with faculty leadership, marking a meaningful return that exemplified alumni engagement, institutional pride, and the power of giving back.
