From Dream to Doctorate: LASUSTECH Lecturer’s Inspiring Journey

By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther

For many academics, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) represents the culmination of years of research and perseverance. For one lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), it was much more, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

On July 20, 2026, during Babcock University’s postgraduate convocation and doctoral hooding ceremony, Dr. Ade Inasa Thomas, a lecturer at LASUSTECH, joined the ranks of scholars awarded the prestigious doctoral degree. Behind the academic gown and hood lies a story of determination, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth. "I feel a sense of completion," he reflects on the moment he finally reached what he calls "the pinnacle of my academic career." It's a journey he attributes fully to God's grace, yet one shaped equally by years of quiet determination.

A Brand Communication expert and lecturer at LASUSTECH, Ikorodu, Dr. Inasa had aspired to earn a doctorate for as long as he can remember. Career demands delayed the pursuit for years, but working within a university environment eventually made it non-negotiable. "You cannot be truly prepared without a PhD in a university environment," he explains simply. So he pursued it, "irrespective of any barrier or obstacle."

His thesis explored brand competition strategies and their influence on customer service delivery and customer trust, focusing on electricity distribution companies in southwest Nigeria, a subject close to everyday Nigerian frustrations. Many people have had poor experiences with these companies, and his research examined how well-conceived, well-executed communication strategies could reshape both service perception and public trust.

The road was not easy. Balancing a full-time academic career with the demands of doctoral research, alongside significant financial pressure, tested Dr. Inasa the most. "It was quite demanding financially," he admits, "but to God be the glory, I was able to manage."

If there's one moment that defined the entire journey, it was preparing for his first doctoral seminar, the literature review stage. Establishing a genuine research gap proved far harder than expected. "At times, I would not be able to do it for weeks," Dr. Inasa recalls. But persistence won out, and he pushed through to completion. According to him, the PhD has deepened his understanding of independent research and improved the way he mentors students, particularly in guiding them through academic research projects.

Beyond the certificate, Dr. Inasa says the PhD reshaped how he thinks about research itself. "Research is an unending process. There's no way you can know it all," he reflects, describing the program as a kind of apprenticeship that sharpened his ability to apply different research methodologies and, in turn, guide his own students more effectively.

To Mass Communication students and aspiring journalists dreaming of similar heights, his advice is direct: "Whatever you have conceived, it's achievable. If you can conceive it, you can achieve it." Success, he insists, comes down to focus, determination, ambition, intelligence, and consistency.

His message to the wider university community carries the same spirit, a call to consistency, progressive thinking, and equity, with every effort geared toward bettering the lives of those around them and advancing the institution as a whole.

His achievement has not gone unnoticed among students.

His students speak of him with the same warmth he brings to his research. According to Oluwadamilola Deborah Awodele, a 200-level Mass Communication student, Dr. Inasa is "a very considerate and approachable lecturer" who has consistently made learning enjoyable since he taught her Specialized Photography in 100 level.

"He's that one very considerate and approachable lecturer. I don't think anybody has ever had anything bad to say about him," she said.

Speaking on his teaching style, Awodele noted that his lectures are easy to understand and that he ensures students never miss important lessons. "He comes to class, and whatever he's unable to cover in class, he gives us the document to cover it up. Unlike the way some people will act like their word is law, he actually takes opinions from the students. If we have to reschedule a class, he'll ask when and how it's convenient for us."

She added that his personality and teaching style influenced her decision to remain in the Public Relations and Advertising sequence in 200 level. "When I wanted to pick a sequence in the first semester of 200 level, one of the things I looked out for were the lecturers. Trust me, Dr. Inasa was one of those reasons I stuck to PRAD."

Awodele also described him as a free-spirited lecturer who maintains cordial relationships with both students and colleagues. "He operates an open-door policy. You'll see students across 100 to 400 level trooping in and out of his office to make inquiries and even just to greet him," she said, adding, "One thing he just doesn't like is a student trying to play on his intelligence."

Dr. Ade Inasa Thomas's story is one of perseverance, purpose, and service. From pursuing a lifelong dream despite financial and professional challenges to producing research with practical relevance and inspiring students through his approachable leadership, his journey reflects the power of determination, consistency, and a commitment to making a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom.