Festus Chima Okoro bags PhD in Clinical Psychology from LASU.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2026, was a memorable day for the family, friends and associates of Festus Chima Okoro, an Isiozi Aka-born academic, as he was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Clinical Psychology by Lagos State University (LASU). Okoro received the doctoral degree during the university’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies for the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, LASU Main Campus, Ojo, Lagos. The convocation ceremony, scheduled for 10:00 a.m., commenced later than planned due to a number of factors, including the late arrival of guests and other participants as a result of traffic challenges on roads leading to the university.
When proceedings eventually commenced, graduands were ushered into the auditorium alongside the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, principal officers of the university, distinguished guests, academics and other members of the university community. The ceremony featured several academic and ceremonial activities before the moment Okoro and other doctoral graduands were called forward for the presentation of their certificates. With smiles and visible excitement, Okoro walked to the stage, where the university authorities formally conferred on him the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology.
The conferment marked the culmination of years of academic work and dedication by the Isiozi Aka-born scholar, who joined other graduands in receiving the highest academic qualification. Following the presentation of the doctoral degrees, several other activities continued at the auditorium before Dr Festus Chima Okoro and the other newly conferred doctors eventually filed out of the venue in celebration of their academic achievement. Guests who attended the ceremony in support of Dr Okoro later gathered at the premises of Aderemi Makanjuola Hall, where a reception attended by family and friends was held in his honour.
From what Umuaka Times gathered, the August 19 LASU convocation was the sixth day of activities marking the university’s combined 29th and 30th Convocation Ceremonies. The day’s program included the award of professional and academic doctoral degrees, including PhDs, as well as the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on three prominent Nigerians.
Among those honoured were Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who received a Doctor of Business Honoris Causa for Entrepreneurship, Industrial and Human Capital Development; Akin Kekere-Ekun, honoured for Entrepreneurship, Finance and Management; and Harriet-Ann Omobola (Bola) Adesola, honoured for Corporate Finance and Governance. The university also elevated Professors Rafiu Olaoluwa Okuneye and Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello to the rank of Distinguished Professor.
The combined convocation ceremonies produced a total of 20,604 graduands, comprising 618 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) graduates, 1,508 academic Master’s graduates, 900 professional Master’s graduates, 238 PhD graduates and 119 professional doctoral graduates, alongside other degree holders. A total number of 494 graduands was recorded as First Class graduates. The best graduating students were Ayilara Lawal Olawale of Project Management, who recorded a CGPA of 4.96 for the 2024/2025 session, and Adebanjo Samuel Oluolamide of Aerospace Engineering, who recorded a CGPA of 4.97 for the 2025/2026 session.
The university’s convocation program commenced with activities at the Epe Campus on August 17, followed by other degree ceremonies and the Convocation Lecture delivered by Abike Dabiri-Erewa on August 18. The programme is expected to conclude with a Special Convocation Thanksgiving Service on August 23, 2026.
For Dr Festus Chima Okoro, however, the August 19 ceremony will remain a particularly significant milestone signifying the years of academic pursuit culminated in the conferment of a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology by one of Nigeria’s leading universities. Several high profile personalities attended the event. They include, Mazi Goddy Iwuoha, Mr Chidi Iwuoha, Mr Linus Nwokeocha, Chief Emma Duruigbo, Mr Ibeje and many others too numerous to mention.
