A Nigerian academic, Prof. Abiodun Alao, will today deliver a professorial inaugural lecture at King’s College, University of London. This makes him the first black African scholar to deliver the inaugural lecture since the institution was established in 1829.
Alao, a professor of African Studies, was conferred with a professorial title about two years ago alongside his Nigerian counterpart in the institution’s African Leadership Centre, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, making them the first black Africans to attain the professorial cadre in King’s College since its establishment.
The appointments have been confirmed in a letter by the institution’s president and principal, Prof. Edward Byrne AC, which justified their elevations at the instance of their contributions to African peace and security.
Alao’s lecture titled, “Africa: A Voice to be Heard, Not a Problem to be Solved” will be delivered at the Edward Safra Lecture Theatre at the college’s main campus.
The lecture will be attended by people from different parts of the world including the United States, Australia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
Alao has published several single-authored books, well-researched articles in journals and occasional papers, among others, which findings and recommendations “have largely helped to establish peace and boost security in many African countries”.
In an institution that has produced 12 Nobel Laureates among its professors, a statement yesterday said Alao distinguished himself, citing about 100 widely recognised academic articles and Encyclopaedia entries he had published, all of which were assessed to accord him the professorial tittle.
Aside from his academic contributions, Alao joined the long list of globally renowned academics King’s College has produced and whose research works have produced answers to different challenges facing humanity and society since its establishment.
Ranked among the top 20 universities in the world, King’s College, London, holds a unique position in global scholarship, as evident in the landmark research works the institution’s professors and alumni have conducted since its establishment several decades ago.
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