By Peter Dansu Aijinnahen Setonji Ludovic, a young indigene of Badagry, is set to make history as he graduates from the University of Lagos...
Aijinnahen Setonji Ludovic, a young indigene of Badagry, is set to make history as he graduates from the University of Lagos on January 20, 2026 with a First Class honour in History Education, a rare academic feat in a department where excellence of that level has remained elusive for decades.
Born in Owode Apa, Atan Okansoso Compound, Aijinnahen is the first child in a family of five. He grew up between Apa and Ajara Dokoh, where his formative years were shaped by discipline, resilience and a strong work ethic. His father runs a traditional medical clinic while his mother, a fashion designer, was well known in the heart of Badagry until early this year. From these modest beginnings, Aijinnahen nurtured a quiet but determined ambition to rise through education.
Speaking in an interview with Mr Peter Dansu, Publisher of Badagry Today, the graduating scholar described his academic journey as demanding, uncertain but ultimately rewarding. His entry into the University of Lagos coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s education sector, marked by the COVID 19 lockdown and an eight month academic strike. According to him, the long interruption was mentally draining, but he chose to turn adversity into opportunity by sharpening his writing and research skills.
Adjusting to university life was another hurdle. New lecturers, unfamiliar academic expectations and the pressure of competition tested his resolve. The biggest setback came in his first year, second semester, when costly mistakes in two courses earned him an E and a C, leaving his CGPA at 3.88 and far from the First Class bracket.
Rather than give up, Aijinnahen said the experience became a turning point. He studied harder, sought guidance and rebuilt his academic focus. Semester after semester, he climbed back steadily. Beyond academics, he remained active, volunteering at the Lagos Studies Association, the second largest academic conference in Africa, and winning a gold medal in his department’s football competition.
His final triumph, however, came against even greater odds. History Education at UNILAG is known for its rigour. Records show that since the department was established in 1965, only one First Class graduate had emerged. None of his lecturers had graduated with a First Class themselves. At a point, even his course adviser expressed doubt, warning that final year courses were especially demanding and that his CGPA was on a narrow margin. Still, Aijinnahen pressed on.
Against expectations, he crossed the finish line with a First Class honour, breaking a record that had stood for decades.
Asked about awards at graduation, he laughed and said his only anticipation was a cash prize and a handshake with the Vice Chancellor, adding that the First Class itself was already a dream fulfilled.
Beyond the celebration, Aijinnahen had strong words for young people in Badagry and others seeking admission into tertiary institutions. He urged them never to allow anyone limit their minds, stressing the importance of mentorship, diligence and belief in oneself. He recalled how someone once told him gaining admission into UNILAG was impossible due to competition, but he chose instead to focus on doing the right things.
Looking ahead, the young scholar is already preparing for the next chapter. He is currently taking classes in Data Analytics to strengthen his research capacity and expand beyond the traditional academic space. His long term ambition is to become a socio economic and environmental historian, a professor and a global consultant working with organisations such as the World Bank, EY and KPMG. He also revealed plans to pursue a Masters degree in African History abroad, though he joked that the full details would come later.
As Badagry celebrates one of its own, Aijinnahen Setonji Ludovic stands as proof that discipline, mentorship and unwavering belief can break even the longest standing academic barriers.
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