UI Student, Ahmed Saheed Olaide, Wins Prestigious World Veterinary Association Global Award

A shining moment for Nigerian academia has emerged as Ahmed Saheed Olaide, a final-year veterinary medicine student at the University of Ibadan, has been named Veterinary Student of the Year 2025 by the World Veterinary Association (WVA), earning him one of the most prestigious recognitions in global veterinary education.

Ahmed, who previously served as President of the Association of Veterinary Medicine Students (AVMS) at UI, received official notification of his win from Ms. Magda Lourenço, the Executive Manager of the WVA. The award includes a significant cash prize, international recognition, and an invitation to attend the WVA Congress 2025/AVMA Convention in Washington, D.C., USA, where he will be formally presented with the honor.

The WVA Global Veterinary Awards are globally respected recognitions aimed at honoring outstanding achievements and contributions in the veterinary field. The Veterinary Student of the Year category specifically celebrates exceptional student leaders who have demonstrated academic excellence, innovation, and a commitment to animal health and welfare at both national and international levels. Nominees are evaluated based on their leadership qualities, research contributions, community involvement, and vision for the future of veterinary medicine.

Ahmed’s academic journey reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence and commitment. He holds a National Diploma in Fisheries Technology from the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan, where he graduated with distinction. Now in his final year at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ahmed has continued to distinguish himself as a proactive student leader and advocate.

Currently, he serves as the 4th National President of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) Nigeria and also held the role of Public Relations Coordinator of the association in 2023. His leadership within the IVSA underscores his growing influence in global veterinary student advocacy. He has also been elected as the next President of the Association of Veterinary Medical Students (AVMS), University of Ibadan.

Beyond his academic and leadership accomplishments, Ahmed is a passionate Antimicrobial Resistance Advocate, championing health equity and social justice. According to him, “every individual has the right to live a healthy, dignified life,” and he believes that everyone has a role to play in advancing public health through collective action.

His research interests lie at the intersection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Public Health, and One Health, with a particular focus on emerging zoonotic diseases and their impact on global health. Through his research and advocacy, Ahmed is contributing to critical conversations around the future of disease prevention and health sustainability on the African continent and beyond.

As he prepares to join leading veterinary professionals in Washington, D.C., this July, Ahmed Saheed Olaide stands as a powerful symbol of excellence, resilience, and hope for a new generation of African veterinarians ready to tackle global health challenges.