By Ghazali Ibrahim 
A concerned Awori indigene, Fatai Dauda (Bada), has written an open letter to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging and calling the attention of the state government to accord due recognition to Dr. Aminat Olawunmi Ige, the overall best PhD graduate at the University of Lagos’ 54th Convocation.
Dr. Ige, an Awori native, made history in January 2024 by receiving the award for the Best PhD Thesis—a significant academic milestone that was widely hailed as groundbreaking.
However, Dauda laments that the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Sanwo-Olu, has remained silent on the scholar’s feat.
In the open letter shared on Saturday, Dauda expressed concern over what he described as a glaring disparity in how achievements are recognized in the state.
He drew comparisons to the public celebration and N10 million cash award given to Miss Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the best graduating undergraduate of the same convocation ceremony.
“Her [Nwosu’s] reward is generous and well-deserved. She is worthy, and we applaud her,” Dauda wrote.
“But we must ask: Why was Dr. Ige overlooked? Does a PhD representing years of research, resilience, and sacrifice, not merit equal or greater honor? Does being Awori make one less visible in Lagos?”
He called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to correct what he described as a “marginalization” of the Awori people and demanded that Dr. Ige be publicly celebrated, financially rewarded, and offered opportunities befitting her academic excellence.
“Lagos is the Centre of Excellence, and excellence must be rewarded regardless of background or level,” the letter reads. “Recognition of our own should never be optional.”
Dauda’s letter has sparked conversations around inclusion, ethnic representation, and fairness in state-sponsored recognitions in Lagos.
However, it is worthy of note that while many criticized the recent act of the governor, it is important to clear the fact that Lagos State University (LASU) which is the establishment of the state government has Governor Sanwo-Olu as its proprietor. This means that he’s under every circumstances to fund and ensure the university is properly run.
In contrast, officially, he doesn’t have business with University of Lagos. Whatever he does in appreciation to them is a show of gratitude towards improving the education sector.
As of the time of this report, Governor Sanwo-Olu has not responded publicly to the call for recognition.
