A final-year PhD student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Oluwadamilare Dauda, has earned international recognition by winning the prestigious Young Scientist Award from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, France. The award honors his groundbreaking research on blackfly transmission of onchocerciasis (river blindness) in southwestern Nigeria, a contribution that has placed both his university and Nigeria in the global spotlight.
The award announcement was made public through the official handle of the French Embassy in Nigeria. In its statement, the embassy described the Young Scientist Award as a highly competitive honour given to promising researchers from low- and middle-income countries who are making outstanding contributions in the field of entomology the scientific study of insects.
Mr. Dauda’s research focuses on understanding how blackflies transmit onchocerciasis, one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases that continues to affect millions in sub-Saharan Africa. His work is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts in disease control, prevention, and eradication.
According to the French Embassy, the award provided Mr. Dauda the opportunity to participate in a summer course in Toulouse. There, he interacted with world-class researchers, sharpened his scientific skills, and deepened his expertise in disease vector biology, particularly as it relates to neglected tropical diseases like onchocerciasis.
The embassy further emphasized that the award demonstrates France’s ongoing commitment to fostering academic exchange and supporting scientific excellence in Nigeria. It also confirmed that it had facilitated Mr. Dauda’s visa process, underscoring the value placed on encouraging Nigerian researchers to engage in international collaborations.
In his reaction, the award-winning scholar expressed deep appreciation to the French Embassy, his hosts in France, and Osun State University for their roles in his academic journey. He described the award as both a personal achievement and a testament to the quality of mentorship and support available at his home institution.
“Sincere thanks to the French Embassy in Nigeria for spotlighting Nigerian academic excellence on the global stage. I am also grateful to the summer school organizer for this incredible opportunity and to Osun State University for providing me with the platform to excel,” Mr. Dauda said.
The Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, warmly congratulated Mr. Dauda on his outstanding achievement. He noted that the award reflects not only the brilliance of the young scholar but also the university’s steady rise as a hub of research excellence in Nigeria and beyond.
“At UNIOSUN, we are committed to producing graduates and researchers who are globally competitive and locally impactful. Oluwadamilare’s award affirms the quality of academic training we provide and the excellence we nurture,” Professor Adebooye stated.
The Vice-Chancellor further reiterated that the university will continue to support initiatives that expose its students and researchers to global opportunities, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to both local development and international knowledge.
With this recognition, Osun State University consolidates its reputation as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising institutions in the global research community. The award highlights the growing visibility of Nigerian scholarship on the international stage and strengthens the bridge of academic cooperation between Nigeria and France.
For Mr. Dauda, the honour represents both a milestone and a new challenge. As he completes his doctoral journey, his work on neglected tropical diseases is expected to inspire further breakthroughs in entomology and public health research, proving that Nigerian scholars can compete and excel on the global stage.
