NewStats: 3,265,497 , 8,186,993 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 11:30 AM 405u6y

I watched Emir Sanusi Lamido get emotional as he got his PhD. Let me try and explain what happened, based on my own experience.

You see getting a PROPER PhD from a reputable school is, to my mind, the hardest thing you can do academically. It squeezes out every ounce of brain power, patience and physical endurance that you can muster.

I often say that your thesis is only accepted when you have shown yourself capable of being able to answer every “stupid” question that can be thrown at you. In truth, the questions you’ve shown yourself to be able to answer are not stupid. You show that you can answer questions thrown at you from every conceivable school of thought and every possible interpretation and every possible ideological bias.

Having your thesis approved without correction is actually not unusual. The examiners usually have 3 options:
1. Approve the thesis with no corrections
2. Approve the thesis with corrections (make minor corrections and resubmit)
3. Reject the thesis. If your thesis is rejected, some schools will award you an MPhil instead of a PhD.

If you have a good supervisor, your thesis would normally be approved without correction. They would have checked EVERYTHING, including spellings, referencing and even formatting before allowing you to submit it for publication evaluation.

Even after being approved by your supervisor, you will still have doubts as a candidate. You will still ask your supervisor “What if…?” In my case, my supervisor said “I said your thesis is a Cum Laude. Anyone that says otherwise should google my name first!” Steeeez!😀

At the defence, Professors from other schools, sometimes even faculties and disciplines tear through your thesis. Every question starts with “Dear Candidate…” you could hear something like: “You said on page 212 that … However, we know from theory and empirical evidence that it doesn’t happen that way. Why did you say that?” One of the objectives is to ensure that you are the one that actually wrote the thesis.

Although my thesis was on Governance, one Professors even found a way to relate his question to the film ‘The Matrix’ (I am not a fan of science function).🙈 They make it clear that they belong to an exclusive club that they DON’T want you to .

When you have answered every “stupid” question, they retire to another room for like 20-30 minutes to discuss among themselves. During that time, you are not allowed to move from where you are standing or talk to anyone (not even your family). When the time has ed, they file in in a procession.

If your thesis has ed, they start praising your work. They then give your supervisor the authority to award you the degree. He then addresses you as “Dear Candidate/ Dear Joe…” And then tells you that, for the first time, he will address you with the appellation “Doctor.”

Then all the pain, effort and sacrifice over so many years washes over you. Together with all the praises from these highly intelligent people, you look at your wife and children and all that they had had to sacrifice for you to indulge this your selfish desire to get a PhD. You see tears in their own eyes.

It is extremely difficult not to get emotional. That is what happened. 😊

Oh! I forgot to add that you then come on social media and some sub-literate street urchin calls you “Olodo.” 😂

https://x.com/DrJoeAbah/status/1826871711460901051?t=PXavAzG0F4dGOz6bf-qQ6Q&s=08

First to comment after years of following nairaland news. I dedicate this to all striving Nigerians. Particularly myself. I love you all nairalanders. Please we should stop ethnicity and help ourselves more❤️

The man got a PhD in Islamic studies. He was born into an islamic theological royal family, just like most africans, he is merely reinforcing what he grew up to know. There is nothing out of the box here.. No new addition to knowledge.

And for someone in public service, Islamic studies is not what a third world country like Nigeria needs to develop.

Fuel is now 950... That means 10 litres is 10k..... Why Sanusi no go cry... If u Don use 20 yrs for dis country dem suppose give u phd sef because u Don see enough shege... And u go fit lecture people on shegecology

My advice to everyone reading this, please don't just read every post here, check the Moniker first before reading a comment and those Monikers (they are always on page one) you identify as potentially damaging to your brain cells kindly skip over them for the sake of your mental health even if they have 6000 fake Likes, never get swayed by LIKES to read their convoluted comments because THE LIKES are also manipulated by those Monikers who preach only bigotry and ethnocentrism from morning to night on this platform.

It's for your mental health, the country is hard already don't let anyone to spoil your mood here

Congratulations to Sanusi

congratulations to him, more wins

Mtcheew, after everything I will go and drive truck for Dangote.

It's not easy, I ed when I defended my thesis. After all the up and down, frog eye president, senate and judiciary will pay themselves huge monthly salary and allowances as tall as skyscrapers which a doctorate holder can get in 25years.

Nigeria is damaged collateral

Judolisco:
Fuel is now 950... That means 10 litres is 10k..... Why Sanusi no go cry

Lol. See sarcasm! 😂😂

Hmmm....

Sanusi's thesis issue is some not too inexperienced people in a field assessing the head of that field.

He's an Islamic schorlar. What do you expect professors from a London University to do. Correct or reject him

This is a case like that Wole Soyinka and PhD. His books were already being used at PhD level at Leeds when he was studying for Matsers programs there.

What problem will PhD in Islamic law solve

Oscarchims:
First to comment after years of following nairaland news. I dedicate this to all striving Nigerians. Particularly myself. I love you all nairalanders. Please we should stop ethnicity and help ourselves more❤️

❤️

Ok

🤣🤣🤣🤣 It's like he is the first Nigerian to earn a PHD. 😂😂😂

nlfpmod:


https://x.com/DrJoeAbah/status/1826871711460901051?t=PXavAzG0F4dGOz6bf-qQ6Q&s=08

My thoughts as well, who defends a PhD on zoom- covid is gone for God's sake!

Oscarchims:
First to comment after years of following nairaland news. I dedicate this to all striving Nigerians. Particularly myself. I love you all nairalanders. Please we should stop ethnicity and help ourselves more❤️

.haha

Judolisco:
Fuel is now 950... That means 10 litres is 10k..... Why Sanusi no go cry... If u Don use 20 yrs for dis country dem suppose give u phd sef because u Don see enough shege... And u go fit lecture people on shegecology

No be beans aswear

this is nice

Glory be to God

Congratulations to him, the most educated northern emir.

SLA na brain ohh

While I agree with the writer that PhD is not an easy task, I think getting emotional is optional and not as common as he's portraying it to be. My external examiner actually offered me a job in his institution because I wowed the board of examiners...but they don't even allow family near Viva venue in my institution, nobody to look at and tear up

E no easy....mine is still ahead

He should use his position to talk sense to power like did during Goodluck Era

Good appraisals, but the main question is a known.....

Nice

If you've been living and surviving this country for the past 20-30years ,you deserves a PhD too...

This country thesis no professor can solve it o

Much ado about nothing
People with groundbreaking works never made much noise
Shalaye for no reason

Lovely!

wonder233:
The man got a PhD in Islamic studies. He was born into an islamic theological royal family, just like most africans, he is merely reinforcing what he grew up to know. There is nothing out of the box here.. No new addition to knowledge.

And for someone in public service, Islamic studies is not what a third world country like Nigeria needs to develop.

You simply hit my point better in the previous thread about his phd

His outpouring of emotions was unnecessary and am sure his British host will laugh at him when the meeting is done