Segun Ofongo
PhD International Affairs
Segun鈥檚 time at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) has been nothing short of transformative. What began as an academic pursuit turned into a deeply personal journey of perseverance and self-discovery. Reflecting on his experience, Segun shares that the challenges were many, but so were the rewards, as he unearthed both his potential as a scholar and a passion for connecting research to real-world impact.
Central to his success was the guidance of his thesis supervisor, Professor David Carment, who encouraged Segun to seize prestigious opportunities like presenting at the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) and speaking at Global Affairs Canada鈥檚 Democracy Conference. Another cornerstone of his journey was the mentorship of Professor David Long, whose Monday meetings offered both academic and emotional support, helping Segun navigate the demands of his role with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence.
NPSIA provided not only academic rigor but a gateway to extraordinary opportunities. Mentors like Ambassador (Ret.) John Schram sharpened his understanding of diplomacy, while teaching Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology renewed his purpose. Winning a teaching award stands as one of his proudest moments, symbolizing the impact he had on his students.
Segun鈥檚 dissertation critically examines the (in)effectiveness of U.S. military aid in fragile states, with a focus on the Lake Chad Basin. His research underscores the need for foreign assistance that addresses governance challenges rather than relying solely on military solutions.
As Segun prepares to graduate in December, he looks forward to postdoctoral work, developing his dissertation into a book, and one day running for office. His advice for fellow NPSIA students? 鈥淧atience鈥攋ust keep going, you will get there.鈥