Nigerian breaks 187-year jinx at University of London

Abiodun Alao, a Nigerian professor, will deliver a professorial inaugural lecture at King’s College, University of London, on Wednesday – making him first black African scholar to deliver such lecture since the institution was established in 1829.

Alao, who teaches African Studies, was conferred with professorial title two years ago with another Nigerian, Funmi Olonisakin, by the institution’s African Leadership Centre, making them the first black Africans ever to attain professorial cadre at the institution.

A confirmatory letter by Edward Byrne AC, president and principal of the institution, based their elevations on their contributions to African peace and security.

On Tuesday, the institution released a statement saying Alao had published “several single-authored books, well-researched journal articles and occasional papers”, among others, whose findings and recommendations “have largely helped establish peace and boost security in many African countries”.

In an institution that produced 12 Nobel Laureates Alao has distinguished himself, publishing “about 100 widely recognised 100 academic articles and Encyclopaedia entries”.

As an academic tradition globally, Alao will deliver his inaugural lecture, titled ‘Africa: A voice to be heard, not a problem to be solved’ at the Edward Safra Lecture Theatre at the college’s main campus.

“Alao was part of the four-person team that undertook a comprehensive threat assessment for Rwanda immediately after the 1994 genocide and was on the team of academic experts that advised former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan on the civil war in Sierra Leone,” read the statement.

“He also co-authored the concept note for the Common Defence and Security Policy for the Africa Union and was the co-author of the first post-Civil War National Security Strategy Framework for Liberia. He was a member of the team that worked on the Development of Donor Countries Effectiveness in Fragile States.”