By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Aijinnahen Setonji Ludovic |
LAGOS, NIGERIA — History will be rewritten tomorrow, January 20, 2026, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Convocation ceremonies as Aijinnahen Setonji Ludovic, a proud son of Badagry, steps onto the podium to claim a First Class degree in History Education.
This achievement is not merely a personal victory but a historic breakthrough for a department where such academic excellence has remained remarkably elusive since its establishment in 1965.
Born into the Atan Okansoso Compound in Owode Apa, Aijinnahen’s journey from the quiet streets of Ajara Dokoh to the "University of First Choice" is a testament to resilience. As the first of five children born to a traditional medical practitioner and a fashion designer, his path was paved with modest means but rich discipline.
His academic tenure was further tested by the dual crises of the COVID-19 lockdown and a grueling eight-month national strike—interruptions that Aijinnahen strategically utilized to refine his research and writing capabilities.
The road to the First Class bracket was far from guaranteed. Following a turbulent first year where a string of lower grades left his Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at a modest 3.88, Aijinnahen faced an uphill battle. In a department where even the lecturers and course advisers admitted that the "First Class" peak was nearly impossible to summit, many doubted his trajectory.
However, the scholar chose to view his early setbacks as a turning point, relentlessly climbing back one semester at a time while simultaneously winning gold in departmental sports and volunteering for the prestigious Lagos Studies Association.
Beyond the handshake with the Vice-Chancellor and the anticipated prizes, Aijinnahen is already looking toward a global future. Currently transitioning into the world of Data Analytics, he aims to bridge the gap between traditional history and modern consultancy, with eyes set on becoming a professor and a consultant for global giants like the World Bank and KPMG.
His message to the youth of Badagry remains clear: do not let the limitations of others define your potential. As he prepares for postgraduate studies in African History abroad, Aijinnahen stands as a beacon of hope, proving that heritage and hard work can indeed shatter decades-long glass ceilings.