Fed. Poly Ilaro Lecturer, Odenike Omolaso, Makes History, Bags Crescent University’s First Ph.D In Communication Studies

▪️ND, HND, BSc. MSc., Now Ph.D in Communication Studies, Latest Scholar shares rare story of resilience and journey to highest academic degree

History was made in Abeokuta this week as Dr. Odenike Timothy Omolaso, a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, successfully defended his Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication at Crescent University.

NOP NIGERIA reports that with that defense, Dr. Omolaso etched his name in the institution’s records as the very first PhD graduate in Mass Communication in the history of Crescent University, Abeokuta.

The milestone marks the end of a five-year academic marathon that the scholar described as filled with “hard work, rigorous research, fieldwork, sleepless nights, challenges, pain, perseverance, and moments when giving up seemed easier.”

Announcing the feat on his Facebook page, Dr. Omolaso wrote: “FIVE YEARS. ONE JOURNEY. ONE DREAM FULFILLED. Today, I stand with immense gratitude as I celebrate the successful defense of my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mass Communication from Crescent University, Abeokuta.”

The journey to the doctorate is a story of academic resilience. Dr. Omolaso’s qualifications now read like a ladder of excellence: ND, HND, BSc, MSc, and now PhD in Communication. Each step built toward this defining moment.

“It has been five years of… challenges, pain, perseverance,” he noted. “But through it all, God gave me the strength to keep going.” For colleagues at Fed Poly Ilaro, the achievement is both personal and institutional pride.

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At the heart of the success was strong academic mentorship. Dr. Omolaso expressed profound appreciation to his supervisors: Prof. S.G. Anaeto, Dr. P.O. Adebimpe, and Dr. Ganiu Okunnu, for “their patience, guidance and scholarly contributions.”

The defense panel also drew heavyweights from Ogun State academia. The Internal Examiner was Dr. O.A. Sodiya. The External Examiner was Prof. Ayodele Odunlami, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU.

Chairing the defense was Prof. Balogun, Dean of the College of Arts, Social and Management Sciences at Crescent University, Abeokuta. Their rigorous questions and scholarly input, Dr. Omolaso said, helped shape the final work.

He also thanked the Head of Department and the entire Department of Mass Communication at Crescent University “for being part of this historic journey.” Their support, he said, turned an individual dream into a departmental milestone.

“Five years. Many battles. Countless lessons. One glorious outcome,” he wrote. The words captured not just the length of the program, but the mental and emotional endurance required to complete it.

The achievement comes at a time when Nigerian polytechnics are pushing for more PhD-qualified lecturers to strengthen teaching, research and accreditation. Dr. Omolaso’s feat adds to Fed Poly Ilaro’s growing pool of doctorate holders.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Omolaso is also a professional communicator with designations including dgn and arpa. His research background in Mass Communication positions him to contribute more to media, public relations, and development communication scholarship.

For Crescent University, his graduation sets a precedent. As the first PhD in Mass Communication from the university, Dr. Omolaso now becomes a reference point for future doctoral candidates in the department.

Closing his announcement with pride, the new doctor wrote: “Today, I can proudly say: I AM A DOCTOR!”
Odenike Timothy Omolaso, PhD, dgn, arpa — a name now written into Crescent University history, and an inspiration for students and lecturers chasing their own “one dream fulfilled.”

NOP NIGERIA