By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Dr. Olusegun Williams on the right |
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The academic landscape in Lagos is celebrating a monumental achievement as Dr. Oluwaseun Williams, a brilliant scholar born and raised in Badagry, has been honored with the 2026 Lagos Studies Association (LSA) Best Doctoral Thesis Award.
This prestigious recognition celebrates Dr. Williams’ groundbreaking dissertation, titled “The Meat of the Story: Cattle Capitalism and Veterinary Public Health in Colonial Nigeria.” The work has been widely lauded for its scholarly rigor, adding a fourth major prize to its already impressive collection, which includes a summa cum laude distinction with special commendation from the doctoral committee.
For Williams, this award represents far more than professional recognition; it is a profound homecoming. Receiving the laurel from the Lagos Studies Association an organization Dr. Williams has been deeply committed to for a decade adds a layer of personal significance to the achievement.
“First and foremost, the laurel is coming from not just another professional organisation but a scholarly association to which I have given my all and which has given me everything over the past ten years,” Dr. Williams stated. “It feels great to be recognised on home ground, in the lagoon city of Lagos, where everything started for me.ancestry, birth, early life, education, work, everything!”
The award ceremony was made exceptionally memorable by the inclusion of a traditional Ogu musical performance by an Akohun troupe from Badagry. Orchestrated by Professor Saheed Aderinto, the cultural spectacle bridged the gap between global academic success and local roots.
“The inclusion of this upbeat cultural performance brings to reality a hitherto unfulfilled aspiration I had for the celebration of my PhD graduation in Geneva last year,” Dr. Williams shared, reflecting on the joy of having hometown traditions honored on such a significant stage.
Williams was quick to attribute the success to a supportive network of mentors, family, and colleagues. Expressing deep gratitude, the scholar acknowledged the pivotal role played by key figures in the journey.
“I am super thankful to Ìṣọ̀là Adéníyì Adérìntọ́, Àrọ́bá Baba Ìtàndayọ̀, Owó Ọkọ Ọlámidé for going all out to make this entire feat possible—from the conception of the research project, to the graduate admission, and the special award celebration,” said Williams.
The scholar also extended heartfelt appreciation to supervisor Professor Aidan Russell, describing the nomination provided by the professor as “spectacular.”