The Chief Executive Officer of iCentra and recipient of the PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year Award, Muyiwa Babayeju, has charged students of Lagos State University (LASU) to pursue their goals with purpose, passion, and excellence.
Babayeju, a proud alumnus of the university, made this call while delivering a keynote address at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre as part of the *Inspiring Excellence Tour Lagos*, organised under the TAB Development Initiatives.
Themed “Inspiring Excellence, Empowering the Next Generation,” the event brought together students, faculty, and guests from the Departments of Physics and Project Management. In a rousing speech, Babayeju told the audience, “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 stressed that true leadership and success are not defined by certificates but by excellence and value creation. “Those who create value don’t chase money but rather, money finds them,” he said.
As a mark of his commitment to academic excellence, Babayeju announced a ₦5 million endowment fund for the best final-year project in the Department of Physics — ₦500,000 to be awarded annually for 10 years. According to a statement from iCentra, “The gesture was received with applause and admiration, highlighting his unwavering commitment to academic development and innovation.”
Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Moses Akanbi, praised Babayeju for choosing LASU as the first stop on the national tour, describing it as “a testament to what it means to give back.” Acting Head of the Department of Physics, Dr. Oluwafunmilayo Ometan, also commended Babayeju’s leadership, noting his role in preparing students to be future-ready. She thanked the university leadership and others who made the event possible.
The programme featured an engaging career session, a knowledge quiz with rewards including signed copies of Babayeju’s book *UNLOCK*, and the announcement of *#Project1500* — a free capacity-building initiative targeting 100 students from LASU’s Physics and Project Management departments for training in project management, digital transformation, and agile methodologies.
After the event, Babayeju led a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, where he was warmly received by Prof. Oseni Afisi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello. During the visit, Babayeju reflected on his journey at LASU and reaffirmed his dedication to contributing to the university’s legacy.
In a further show of solidarity, Dr. Kayode Akinade, Group CEO of Glovis Global and associate of Babayeju, pledged a ₦10 million donation to the Faculty of Science. Prof. Afisi expressed the university’s deep appreciation for the generous contributions and reiterated LASU’s commitment to producing leaders who will drive transformational change across sectors.
The day ended with a guided tour of the Faculty of Science and interactions with its leadership — a powerful homecoming that showcased alumni pride, institutional impact, and the spirit of giving back.
