LASU Hosts Polish Scholar for Seminar on Sports Diplomacy and Russo-Ukrainian Conflict

The Department of Political Science at Lagos State University (LASU) held the February 2026 edition of its Departmental Seminar Series on Tuesday, 17th February, featuring an international perspective on the intersection of global sports and geopolitics.

The event, titled “Sports Diplomacy and the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict,” took place at the Professor Abubakar Momoh Moot Parliament and featured Dr. Michal Kobiérecki from the University of Łódź, Poland, as the guest speaker.

Global Visibility and Academic Excellence

In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Olufemi Adigun Lawal, commended the Department for its consistency in hosting high-calibre lectures that elevate LASU’s international profile.

The outgoing Acting Head of Department, Dr. Abdul-Wasi Moshood, introduced the theme, emphasizing that the seminar aimed to provide a rigorous academic lens through which to view current global crises.

Sports as a Tool of International Relations

Dr. Kobiérecki’s presentation explored how the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has transformed sporting arenas into high-stakes diplomatic spaces. Key insights from the lecture included:

National Identity: How sports function as a medium for political communication and image management.

Symbolic Contestation: The use of international sporting events for diplomatic engagement and the pursuit of national interests.

Global Governance: A conclusion that sports are no longer merely recreational but are significant instruments of modern international relations and diplomacy.

Leadership Transition

The seminar, moderated by Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine, also served as a symbolic moment for the department’s leadership. The vote of thanks was delivered by the newly appointed Acting Head of Department, Dr. Tobi Oshodi, who expressed gratitude to the guest speaker and the university community for the robust participation.

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment involving a diverse audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students, faculty members, and university staff, further cementing LASU’s reputation as a hub for intellectual engagement.