Badagry is recording a moment of academic pride as Aijinnahen Setonji Ludovic, a young indigene of the coastal town, graduates with a First Class degree in History Education from the University of Lagos, where the convocation ceremony is being held today, 20th January 2026.

The achievement is widely regarded as exceptional within the department, where First Class honours have remained scarce for decades due to the programme’s demanding academic standards.

Aijinnahen, who hails from #Owode #Apa, Atan Okansoso Compound, grew up between Apa and #Ajara #Dokoh in a household defined by discipline and resilience. He is the first of five children. His father is a traditional medical practitioner, while his mother, a fashion designer, was well known within Badagry’s commercial circles until early 2025.

Reflecting on his journey in an interview with Mr Peter Dansu, Publisher of Badagry Today, Aijinnahen described his university experience as “uncertain but transformative,” shaped largely by external disruptions and personal resolve.

he said during the interview with Badagry Today.

He explained that the prolonged disruptions in Nigeria’s tertiary education system forced him to become more self-directed, allowing him to refine his writing, deepen his reading culture and strengthen his research skills.

The early phase of his undergraduate studies was not without setbacks. In his first year, he recorded weak grades in two courses, leaving his cumulative average outside the First Class range. By his own account, the experience became a turning point rather than a defeat.


Through steady improvement and disciplined study, his academic record gradually recovered. Outside the classroom, he also participated actively in academic and social life, volunteering with the Lagos Studies Association, a major scholarly platform, and engaging in departmental sporting activities.

History Education at #UNILAG is known for its intellectual intensity. Departmental records indicate that since its establishment in 1965, very few students have graduated with First Class honours. Even in his final year, Aijinnahen recalled being cautioned about the difficulty of sustaining the required academic margin.

Still, he persisted.

Completing the programme with First Class honours, he emerged as one of the very few to do so in the department’s history, an outcome that has drawn commendation within and beyond Badagry.

Speaking ahead of the convocation, he downplayed expectations of accolades, noting that the degree itself represented the true reward.


Looking forward, Aijinnahen is already broadening his academic horizon through Data Analytics training, with plans to integrate historical research with modern analytical tools. His long-term ambition includes postgraduate studies in African History and a career spanning academia, research and international consulting.

As the convocation ceremony takes place, his achievement stands as a milestone not only for his family but also for Badagry, reinforcing the role of perseverance, mentorship and belief in shaping academic excellence.