It was Colin Powell, an American statesman, diplomat, and army officer who postulated thus; “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

Following this philosophy, the University of Lagos will be conferring honorary degrees to three personalities for their hard work and impact on academic development and humanity during the institution’s 55th convocation anniversary.

This was made known by Folasade Ogunsola, the vice-chancellor of UNILAG during a pre-convocation press conference held recently at the Akoka campus of the institution.

The vice-chancellor revealed that the university will confer Doctor of Science honorary degree on Fola Adeola, Kolawole Adesina and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for distinguishing themselves in scholarship, ground-breaking discoveries, and/or contributing significantly to academic and societal development.

“We will be conferring honorary degrees in recognition to three personalities who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, made ground-breaking discoveries, or contributed significantly to academic and societal development.

“This year we have the privilege of honouring two men and a woman, who have shown that Integrity, hard work and service to the Nation work,” the vice-chancellor said.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the incumbent director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She is the first woman and the first African to lead the organisation.

Okonjo-Iweala, a distinguished economist, is renowned for her integrity and significant economic reforms in Nigeria’s financial sector.

She is particularly admired for her role in the Paris Club negotiations, which resulted in the cancellation of Nigeria’s $30 billion debt. Her global recognition stems from her professional expertise and transformative leadership.

Fola Adeola is a distinguished Nigerian businessman and investor, most known as a co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Plc).

Adeola is also the founder of FATE Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting young Nigerian entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, loans, and consulting.

The foundation has significantly impacted over 30,000 entrepreneurs. and a member of the Commission for Africa. He is the brain behind the new pension reform and is globally recognised for his integrity, business acumen and innovative contributions to the financial sector and national development.

Kolawole Adesina is the group managing director (GMD) of Sahara Power Group, a global energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in 42 countries.

Adesina is an alumnus of the University of Lagos with a diverse background spanning academia, finance, energy, trade, and diplomacy. Under his leadership, Sahara Power focuses on providing sustainable energy solutions across Africa.

He also chairs several boards, including Ikeja Electric Distribution Company, and has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s energy policy and infrastructure development.

His company has awarded prizes to students in various fields and recognised the work of faculty members through the MAD (Making a Difference) award by doling out a $12,000 award yearly.

Ogunsola explained that the three eminent Nigerians will be conferred with the Doctor of Science honorary degree (D. Sc).

“We are very honoured that these three personalities accepted our recognitions. Unfortunately, Okonjo-Iweala will be unable to attend in person this year, but we will confer on her at next year’s convocation ceremony,” she said.

The UNILAG’s 55th convocation will be held from Monday, January 13 to Thursday, January 16, 2025, with a series of events.

On Monday, January 13, activities will commence by 9 am with an exhibition of innovations and works of the institution’s staff and students at the Senate car park.

And they will proceed from there to the commissioning of three projects, the Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug Recovery & Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory Science and Pharmacovigilance Analytical Laboratory (ACEDHARS Building) by Wole Olanipekun, the university’s pro-chancellor.

Besides, he will commission one of the World Bank-supported Centres of Excellence projects which is focused on the development of indigenous plants for medical applications.

“We are also commissioning the new 120-bed space Moremi Hall extension and finally the new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of our library services which speaks to our student-centred services and provides an environment for teamwork, creative engagement, research-collaboration, and knowledge co-creation,” the vice-chancellor noted.