From Publishing on a Phone to Nigeria’s Top 500 Researchers: A UNILAG Scholar’s Success Story

By Barakat Lawal, Happy Ajuebon, Success Essien, and Adebisi Bolarinwa

A lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Samuel Unwana has been ranked among Nigeria’s top 500 researchers in 2026, marking a major milestone in his academic career.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with UNILAG Sun, Unwana explained that his passion for research is rooted in the broad nature of communication.

“Everything we do revolves around communication,” he said.

“But you have to create a niche for yourself if you want to go far.”

He noted that his research focuses on sports communication, particularly football, as well as indigenous media and diaspora communication.

Unwana’s most unique research area examines the lives of Nigerian female footballers abroad.

“I wanted to find out how they cook and communicate with their families,” he said.

“Nobody had really researched that before.”

This curiosity, he said, reflects his broader approach to identifying gaps in communication research.

Balancing multiple roles as a faculty examination officer, journal editor, and course adviser, Unwana admits that managing research alongside administrative duties has not been easy.

“I try as much as possible to publish despite the workload,” he said.

Some of his publications, he noted, took as long as two to three years to complete, highlighting the patience and persistence required in academic research.

He added that financial constraints and lack of resources remain major challenges for many Nigerian researchers.

“I use my phone for everything I do because I could not afford a good laptop,” he revealed.

Comparing the system to that of institutions abroad, he stated that researchers there have access to laptops, journals, and well-equipped libraries.

While government funding is often seen as the primary solution, Unwana believes universities must also take responsibility.

He urged faculties and departments to actively support research by funding projects and creating platforms for publication.

Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the future of research in Nigeria.

He advised aspiring researchers to set ambitious goals, and collaborate with others, as this plays a major role in achieving success.