Saskay has celebrated earning a Master of Arts in Global Security and Strategy from the VUB Brussels School of Governance in Belgium, marking the academic milestone with graduation portraits that combine her achievement with a statement of cultural identity through fashion.
The reality TV star, whose real name is Tsakute Ladi Jonah, shared the significance of the degree, explaining that studying a subject she has always been passionate about made the experience particularly meaningful.
“Master of Arts (MA) in Global Security and Strategy. I got to study something I’ve always been passionate about, and that makes this degree mean so much more to me. I’ve poured so much of myself into this journey that my diploma is basically my baby,” she said.
Beyond celebrating her qualification, Saskay used the occasion to reflect on the relationship between academic achievement and clothing. Although she had initially planned to wear a suit for her graduation shoot, an emergency involving her designer meant the outfit could not be completed in time. The change led her to reconsider the expectation that Western-style clothing should be the standard for marking educational milestones.
“I had a suit planned for this shoot, but my designer had an emergency and couldn’t get it ready in time. Things took a different turn, and it got me thinking about how we’ve come to associate education with Western clothing. There’s something beautiful about celebrating an academic milestone in a way that also reflects who we are and where we come from,” Saskay explained.
For the photographs, she wore the Nola Kaftan by Hertunba, a custom design made from 100 per cent cotton. The flowing garment features illustrations of palm trees, birds and dwellings, arranged to tell a metaphorical story of a small girl in a big village. Each motif contributes to the narrative behind the design, giving the outfit a visual identity beyond its silhouette.
The kaftan’s off-white and cream palette provided a neutral base for its generous cut, fluid sleeves and open drape. Saskay paired it with a chocolate-brown silk veil, creating a contrast that complemented the outfit without taking attention away from its details.
Her accessories added further definition to the look. Traditional-inspired facial art featured a triangle on her forehead, a line across the bridge of her nose and a vertical mark extending from her lower lip to her chin. Oversized gold earrings shaped like leaves, a layered beaded necklace, thick gold cuffs, wide bangles and statement rings completed the styling.
Several photographs also showed Saskay posing with a leather degree holder bearing her institution’s details, alongside stacks of books. The props placed her academic accomplishment at the centre of the shoot while allowing the clothing and accessories to express another part of her personal identity.
Saskay’s graduation portraits bring together two milestones: completing a postgraduate degree in global security and strategy and choosing an outfit that reflects her connection to cultural heritage. Through the Hertunba kaftan, she presented an alternative to conventional graduation styling, showing how an academic celebration can also make room for individual expression and cultural references.
