David Akinwunmi, a fresh graduate of Lagos State University's (LASU) Faculty of Law, has secured graduate admission at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, backed by two scholarships worth approximately CAD $45,000 over two years. He has already begun his studies at the Canadian institution, just months after completing his undergraduate degree.
Scholarships and Vice-Chancellor's Congratulations
Akinwunmi was awarded the Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship and the Law Foundation Scholarship, which together cover a significant portion of his graduate studies. The Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Distinguished Professor Ibilola Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, publicly celebrated his achievement on behalf of the university community.
"On behalf of the entire LASU community, I congratulate David on this well-deserved recognition. His journey from our Faculty of Law to a fully funded graduate programme abroad is a testament to the quality of legal education our University provides, and to the discipline and diligence of our students. We are proud to count him among our graduates, and we wholeheartedly wish him a fruitful and impactful period of study," she said.
Research Focus on Tax Law Comparison
At the University of Victoria, Akinwunmi's graduate work will centre on a comparative study of Nigerian and Canadian tax law and tax administration. A key area of interest is how Canada has woven indigenous tax principles into its broader fiscal framework, and what practical lessons that experience might offer Nigeria as the country works through its own tax reform process.
His research also looks at how tax administration approaches that feel culturally familiar and acceptable to ordinary citizens can encourage greater voluntary compliance, a question with direct relevance to Nigeria's revenue challenges.
Impact on LASU's Reputation
Olatunji-Bello said Akinwunmi's accomplishment reflects a wider pattern of LASU alumni making their presence felt beyond Nigeria's borders, and she reaffirmed the university's focus on producing graduates capable of contributing to both scholarship and public life at home and internationally.
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that Samuel Oluolamide Adebanjo, a 22-year-old Aerospace Engineering graduate from LASU, received a N30 million cash reward at the university's 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies. Adebanjo clinched the Overall Best Graduating Student title for the 2025/2026 academic session with a cumulative GPA of 4.97 out of 5.00, earning First-Class Honours. He also swept the Best Graduating Student titles for his faculty and department, making him a triple award winner at the convocation.
