A recent graduate of Lagos State University (LASU), David Akinwunmi, has secured admission to the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, alongside scholarship and tuition support worth about CAD$45,000 over two years.
Akinwunmi, who studied Law at LASU, has already commenced his programme at the Canadian university. His funding package comprises the Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship and the Law Foundation Scholarship.
Here is what is known about how he secured the opportunity and what he will be studying.
1. He secured admission shortly after graduating from LASU
Akinwunmi completed his Bachelor of Laws degree at LASU before gaining admission to the University of Victoria.
The admission provides him with an opportunity to continue his academic development in Canada while also receiving financial support for his studies.
2. His academic development helped strengthen his application
The scholarships were awarded alongside his admission, indicating that his academic profile and development played a role in securing the funding.
Akinwunmi described the support as an affirmation of the work he had put into developing himself academically and the confidence the university had placed in him.
3. He received two scholarships
The funding comes from two sources: the Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship and the Law Foundation Scholarship.
Together, the scholarships are worth approximately CAD$45,000 over two years, providing significant financial support towards his postgraduate studies.
4. His research focuses on Nigeria and
Canada
Akinwunmi’s research will examine the tax laws and tax administration systems of Nigeria and Canada.
A major part of the research will look at how Canada has incorporated Indigenous tax systems, principles and perspectives into its modern tax and fiscal administration
.
He hopes to examine whether some lessons from the Canadian experience could be useful to Nigeria.
5. He wants his research to address Nigeria’s tax challenges
Akinwunmi is particularly interested in voluntary tax compliance—why citizens choose to comply with tax obligations without being forced to do so.
He intends to explore whether making aspects of tax administration more familiar and culturally acceptable to Nigerians could encourage greater willingness to pay taxes.
His research comes as Nigeria undergoes significant tax reforms, making questions around tax administration, compliance and governance particularly relevant.
Ultimately, Akinwunmi says his goal is not simply to compare the Nigerian and Canadian systems, but to identify practical lessons that could contribute to improving tax administration and compliance in Nigeria
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