Gbolahan Joseph Adekoya completed a Doctor of Engineering in Polymer Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in 2023, marking the first of the brothers’ doctoral qualifications.

Three years later, his younger sibling, Oluwasegun Chijioke Adekoya, was awarded the same Doctor of Engineering degree at TUT’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment during the Spring Graduation ceremony on 13 October 2026.

Both brothers pursued their doctorates in the same discipline of Polymer Engineering, a rare family milestone noted by the university.

Oluwasegun’s research combined computational science with medicine, using computer simulations to design nanomaterials intended for antiviral and antimalarial drug delivery.

His earlier training in medical laboratory science shaped the healthcare focus of his engineering work.

Oluwasegun acknowledged the guidance of his supervisors, Professors Emmanuel Rotimi Sadiku and Yskandar Hamam, throughout his doctoral studies.

He received the Prof Sabu Thomas Best PG/PhD Thesis Award for 2022–2023 and secured first place in the doctoral poster presentation at TUT’s Faculty Research Day in 2024.

Gbolahan now serves as a postdoctoral research fellow in TUT’s Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering.

Both brothers credited their mother’s financial support, prayers and sacrifices as essential to completing their studies.

Looking ahead, Oluwasegun plans to continue with postdoctoral research in computational materials science, nanomedicine and polymer‑based drug delivery.