Ex-Lawmaker, 7 Others Bag PhD,

MSc From UniAbuja

Former legislator Babatunde Lekan Olatunji, along with seven others, has been awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees in Public Governance and Leadership, as well as in Policy and Strategic Studies, by the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC) at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja.

According to Professor Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman, the Director of the Centre, these academic achievements were conferred after the recipients successfully completed all requirements, including the external defense of their dissertations and theses on May 18 and 19, 2026, pending the approval of the University’s Senate.

In addition to Olatunji, Kazeem Inaolaji Lameed and Jay Danjuma Daniel received doctoral degrees in Public Governance and Leadership, while Boco Edet Abdul was awarded a PhD in Policy and Strategic Studies on Monday, May 18, 2026. Likewise, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Attahiru Abdulrazak Jikantoro and Charles Oluwatosin Adewunmi were awarded PhDs in Public Governance and Leadership and Policy and Strategic Studies respectively. Esther Idivere Pantuvo and Aminu Yar’Adua Ahmed both earned Master’s degrees in Public Governance and Leadership.

Following the conferral of their academic awards, Professor Akongbowa Bramwell Amadasun, the external examiner from the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, congratulated the recipients. Amadasun urged them to promptly address the issues raised during their dissertation and thesis defenses, emphasizing the importance of applying their acquired knowledge for the betterment of society.

Reacting to this academic milestone, Babatunde Olatunji, who previously represented the Ife North State constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, praised the university and the Centre for running such a “novel and commendable programme.” He disclosed that the doctorate programme has enhanced his skill set and improved his understanding of contemporary leadership challenges and issues.

Olatunji spoke about the need for deliberate national development, calling on leaders to be accountable to society while encouraging citizens to fulfill their own responsibilities. He stressed that laws alone will not build a functional system; rather, it requires commitment and willingness for the Nigerian system to thrive.

Olatunji stated, “I am grateful to God for this opportunity to successfully complete this PhD program. It has required a lot of sacrifice and hard work, but in the end, I am happy. I must commend the University of Abuja and the Abuja Leadership Centre for offering such a program.

“The program has provided opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds, particularly leaders and emerging leaders in both the public and private sectors, to acquire essential skills and refine their understanding of leadership. I can confidently say that the program has added value to my skill set and improved my understanding of contemporary leadership challenges. I look forward to contributing to society even more with the new skills and capabilities I have developed.

“There are necessary preconditions for building an orderly system, no doubt. However, we need to back up our laws with the commitment and willingness to make the system work. When laws are enacted, they must be implemented by people, so there must be the political will to enforce those laws.

“Leadership must be accountable, and followership must take responsibility to build a functional system,” Olatunji advised.

The Abuja Leadership Centre at the University of Abuja is recognized as a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership and is dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership in Nigeria and beyond.