By Nifemi Akinade | Lagos
![](http://campusfocus.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/89777757_2992136677474245_5473448597661941760_n.jpg)
A total of 16,315 Students in combined set of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 Academic Sessions have graduated from the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).
The Students who completed their programmes in the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) were graduated from the school with 598 distinction, 5,332 upper credit, 8,268 lower credit and 2,117 pass.
Meanwhile the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Santo-Olu has offered automatic employment offer to work at the school, to the overall best graduating student Ms Nkechi Alexander Kingsley who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.93 on a Scale of 4.0.
Miss. Kingsley who finished from the Department of Chemical Engineering was also offered a valedictorian cash Grant to support her enterprenural skills.
While delivering his speech, the Governor who is also the School’s Moderator, urge the graduates to deploy the knowledge and skills they have acquired while studying to advance development and prosperity where they find themselves.
The Governor emphasised that Technical skill acquired by the graduates should not be seen as inferior to University education. Adding that the Polytechnic Certificate has equal value and can serve as alternative to university degrees.
“On the education landscape, polytechnic occupy an important position. They are seen as the bastions of technological innovation and development. As Nigeria strives to join the league of industrilised nations, we must develop industrial capacity, which means that we must be able to offer to the world goods and services that are of greater economic value.
“Our polytechnics must be properly positioned for these opportunities. Technical education must never be seen as playing second fiddle to university education; both must be seen as equally-placed alternative for young people on the journey to productive future. My administration will not allow the Lagos State Polytechnic to lag behind in any way.
“Our vision is to catalyze the development of this polytechnic and make it a world-class tertiary institution that will produce graduates who know and are confident of their place in the demanding world of the 21st century.” he added.
The Rector of the Institution Mr. Samuel Sogunro lauded the governor for his support to the institution in the journey to attain excellence.
He noted that the time release of the institutions subvention and continuous investment in infrastructure by successive administration in the state had increased its ranking to the 5th best polytechnic in the country. He disclosed that effort have commenced to push the ranking further.
![](http://campusfocus.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/89601679_2992136854140894_3659110792420130816_n.jpg)