Nigerian PhD Scholar Oluwadamilare Dauda Wins Prestigious French Science Award for Research 🔬 🇫🇷

Photo Credit: Oluwadamilare Dauda/X

In a major boost for African scientific research, Oluwadamilare Dauda, a final-year PhD candidate at Osun State University (UNIOSUN), has been awarded the Young Scientist Prize by the National Veterinary School of Toulouse in France. The accolade recognises his groundbreaking work on the transmission of river blindness—a neglected tropical disease that still affects millions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dauda, a specialist in public health parasitology and medical entomology, was selected for his pioneering research on the blackfly vectors responsible for the spread of onchocerciasis in South-West Nigeria. His work has helped shed new light on the ecology and behaviour of these disease-transmitting insects, with implications for public health strategies across the continent.

The award was announced by the French Embassy in Nigeria via their official social media channels. In addition to the recognition, Dauda was invited to participate in an advanced summer programme in Toulouse, where he joined leading global researchers to deepen his expertise in vector-borne diseases.

“This award is a major moment not just for me, but for all young African scientists striving to make a global impact through local research,” Dauda said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “My gratitude goes to the French Embassy, Dr. Emilie Bouhsira—the summer school organiser—and my institution, UNIOSUN, for supporting this journey.”

Dauda is a key member of the Tropical Diseases and Implementation Research Group at UNIOSUN’s Department of Animal and Environmental Biology. His broader academic focus spans malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), areas that remain critical to global health equity. He is also a recipient of the competitive Swissplexus Scholarship, further underscoring his rising profile in the scientific community.

The French Embassy highlighted Dauda’s win as part of its broader effort to strengthen Franco-Nigerian scientific collaboration. In their statement, the embassy noted the swift processing of his visa as a demonstration of France’s commitment to supporting academic exchange and innovation from the Global South.

The award adds Dauda to a growing list of Nigerian scientists gaining international acclaim for their contributions to disease control and public health. As the world continues to grapple with infectious disease challenges, stories like his underscore the urgent need for investment in homegrown research—and the extraordinary talent emerging from African institutions.