Oluwadamilare Dauda, a final-year PhD student of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), has brought pride to Nigeria after winning the Young Scientist Award from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse in France.
Dauda earned the honour through his groundbreaking research on how blackflies spread onchocerciasis, popularly known as river blindness, in parts of southwestern Nigeria. The disease is one of the world’s most neglected tropical illnesses, affecting millions across sub-Saharan Africa.
Announcing the award, the French Embassy in Nigeria described it as a challenging and highly competitive prize, given only to brilliant young researchers from low- and middle-income countries. His work is expected to enhance the fight against onchocerciasis and contribute to global efforts to eliminate the disease.
The award also provided Dauda with the opportunity to attend a summer course in Toulouse, where he trained under world-class scientists and further developed his knowledge of disease vector biology. Dauda’s research feat has not only put UNIOSUN on the global research map, but it has also boosted Nigeria’s contribution to tackling neglected tropical diseases.
Leave feedback about this