Exceptional Academic Feat: Dr. Prudentia Lawan Bags PhD With Five Pre-defense International Publications

In a remarkable display of academic rigor and resilience, Dr. Prudentia Yensi Lawan has successfully defended her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis in Reproductive Physiology and Animal Health at the University of Bamenda. The defense, which took place on March 18, 2026, has been described by peers and jury members alike as exceptional, marking a significant milestone in the field of veterinary medicine in Cameroon. As a result, the jury awarded Dr Lawan the grade of “Excellent.”

Five Papers In International Journals 
Dr. Lawan’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given her unprecedented academic output: prior to her defense, she had already published five papers in renowned international journals based on her research. This feat left the jury "overwhelmed," as they noted they had rarely encountered a PhD candidate with such a robust publication record before the final oral examination.
The defense culminated in a celebration of excellence, with her supervisor, Prof. Julius Awah Ndukum, penning a deeply emotional tribute to her journey. "I come to you this morning on a very happy and proud note," Prof. Ndukum wrote. "To see you grow from a veterinary nurse to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, DVM and then to a PhD holder; it warms my heart."

The Economic, Epizootic Importance
The core of Dr. Lawan’s success lies in the critical nature of her research, which addresses a pervasive problem in the North West Region of Cameroon. Her thesis, titled "Cysticercus tenuicollis in small ruminants in the North West Region of Cameroon: Prevalence, Haemato-biochemical Changes and Economic Significance," sheds light on a parasitic infection that has long plagued livestock farmers.
Her findings reveal a staggering prevalence rate of Cysticercus tenuicollis at 34.36% in goats and sheep within the region. The study established that this high infection rate persists irrespective of the animal's sex, age, body condition score, weight, female physiological status, or environmental factors such as location and season.

Huge Economic Cost
Perhaps most alarming for the agricultural sector is the economic quantification of this damage. Dr. Lawan’s research calculated that the parasite has caused significant economic losses estimated at 9,457,490 FCFA (approximately $17,023.48 USD). In a region where small ruminant farming is a cornerstone of livelihood for many families, these losses represent a substantial financial blow.
Despite the high prevalence and economic cost, the study offered nuanced scientific insights. Dr. Lawan’s research revealed preliminary morphometric and morphological characteristics of the cysts isolated from sheep and goats. Interestingly, she observed no significant difference (P>0.05) in the fluid of Cysticercus tenuicollis between infected animals. Similarly, the haematological and biochemical profiles of infected and non-infected sheep and goats showed no significant statistical difference, a finding that adds a complex layer to the understanding of the disease's pathophysiology.

Jury Praises "Exceptional" Work
The defense jury, comprising distinguished academics from the University of Bamenda and the University of Buea, was unanimous in its praise. The jury was presided by Prof. Kimbi Helen of the University of Bamenda, with Prof. Akoachere Kihla Jane-Francis of the University of Buea serving as the External Examiner. Internal representation included Prof. Aziwo Tatanja Niba, while Prof. Anong Damian Nota served as a member. Prof. Julius Awah Ndukum, the supervisor, also served as the Rapporteur.
Following the rigorous presentation and questioning, the jury commended Dr. Lawan not just for the content of her thesis, but for her demeanor and depth of knowledge. "They said the quality of the work and presentation were very excellent," Dr. Lawan reported. Furthermore, the jury highlighted her publication record as a defining factor of the thesis's quality. 

Exceptional Quality 
"The jury said my work is exceptional. They were overwhelmed as they’ve never seen where a PhD candidate makes five publications in renowned international journals before defense of thesis," she stated. The verdict was clear: "Excellent, excellent, excellent! Congratulations! Your whole thesis has been published. This is exceptional!" Prof. Ndukum reiterated in his morning message to the new PhD holder – the day after the successful defence.

From "Permanent Head Damage" To Terminal Success
When asked by the Cameroon Tribune why she chose to pursue a PhD after already holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and thereby addressed as Doctor, Lawan explained that her motivation stemmed from identified gaps in her academic programmes. She noted that being a Veterinary Doctor, while sufficient for clinical practice, was not enough to address the broader challenges in research and academia. "Given these gaps, I took the challenge to get to the terminal stage of research degree, locally termed 'Permanent Head Damage' to fulfill my dreams," she quipped, highlighting the intense mental rigor required for the feat.

No Matter What
Her journey, however, was not without challenges. Her supervisor publicly acknowledged the adversities she faced, noting her resilience in standing tall "no matter how the storms raged." "Even in the midst of adversities, you still stood so tall. I dove my hat to you for always standing tall," Prof. Ndukum added, emphasizing that Dr. Lawan has always been a responsible and respectful figure, transitioning from a "kid sister" figure to a formidable academic peer.
The PhD programme itself was a four-year endeavor, characterized by diligent fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Dr. Lawan noted that the defense was not just a personal victory, but a learning opportunity for other Master’s and PhD students, as well as those aspiring to reach this terminal degree. She expressed profound gratitude to the jury members for their patience in reading through the document meticulously.

One-Health Approach
Based on her findings, Dr. Lawan has proffered critical recommendations aimed at curbing the spread of Cysticercus tenuicollis. Her research advocates for a concerted effort between veterinary services and livestock farmers. She emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of infected small ruminant populations and the implementation of regular parasite control regimens.
Furthermore, she stresses the importance of preventing the contamination of pastures with Taenia hydatigena eggs, the lifecycle stage responsible for cysticercosis in animals.

Educative Awareness Programmes
A significant portion of her recommendations focuses on a "One-Health" approach. This strategy calls for the creation and organization of educative awareness programmes for all stakeholders. By employing continuous community-based surveillance, Dr. Lawan believes the disease can be managed effectively. A crucial component of this strategy is the control or elimination of stray dogs in livestock premises, as dogs are the definitive hosts for the adult tapeworm and the primary source of environmental contamination.
"The study expands our understanding of the disease’s epidemiology, the veterinary significance of Cysticercus tenuicollis and achieving economic viability in sheep and goat production in Cameroon," Dr. Lawan explained. She notes that assessing the haemato-...