Saheed Ahmed, a final-year veterinary medicine student at the University of Ibadan (UI), has been named the World’s Best Veterinary Student for 2025 by the World Veterinary Association (WVA).
The announcement was made by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in a statement shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday. The WVA award honours Ahmed’s exceptional academic performance, outstanding leadership, and dedication to community service.
As part of the honour, Ahmed will receive a €5,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, where he will be recognised at the 2025 World Veterinary Congress.
Ahmed previously served as the National President of the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) in Nigeria. According to the NOA, his passion extends beyond academics, as he is deeply committed to mentorship and aims to inspire future African professionals in the veterinary field.
NOA further highlighted that Ahmed’s focus is now turning toward critical global issues, including One Health, global health, and combating antimicrobial resistance—an area of growing international concern.
In recognition of his achievements and ambition, Ahmed was also named Nigerian of the Week by the NOA.
The “World’s Best Veterinary Student” title is part of the WVA Global Veterinary Awards, an annual event held in partnership with Ceva Santé Animale and IVSA. The awards celebrate excellence across various areas, including One Health, animal welfare, medicines stewardship, and veterinary education, with a special category dedicated to outstanding veterinary students.
Ahmed’s recognition is a major milestone for Nigerian veterinary education and a proud moment for the University of Ibadan, further cementing its global reputation for academic excellence.

