The announcement was made via a post on the official handle of the French Embassy in Nigeria, which described the award as a prestigious honour bestowed on promising researchers from low- and middle-income countries in the field of entomology, the scientific study of insects.

The embassy noted that the award afforded Mr. Dauda the opportunity to participate in a summer course in Toulouse, where he engaged with international researchers and deepened his expertise in disease vectors, especially in relation to neglected tropical diseases like onchocerciasis.

The Embassy also commended his contributions to global public health efforts and confirmed that it facilitated his visa process as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting academic exchange and scientific excellence between France and Nigeria.

In his reaction, the award-winning scholar expressed gratitude to the French Embassy, his hosts in France, and Osun State University for their unwavering support.

“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 Osun State University for giving me a platform to excel.”

Speaking on the development, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, congratulated Mr. Dauda on his outstanding international achievement and described it as a reflection of the university’s growing global visibility and research relevance.

“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,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

With this international recognition, Osun State University continues to consolidate its reputation as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising institutions in the global research community, fostering excellence in scholarship, innovation, and international collaboration.