UNN appoints Chimamanda Adichie as visiting professor

UNN's letter to Ms Adichie indicated indicated the roles and expectations of visiting professors.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Simon Ortuanya, has appointed renowned writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as a visiting professor of the institution.

Mr Ortuanya, a professor, also appointed African Development Bank executive Kevin Urama and a professor from the University of Chicago, James Robinson, as visiting professors.

This information is contained in a statement issued in Nsukka on Wednesday by the acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) of UNN, Inya Egwu.

The statement said that the appointments dated 18 December and signed by the vice-chancellor were part of the drive by Mr Ortuanya’s administration to put the university on the global academic stage.

It stated that the letters of appointment outlined the roles and expectations of visiting professors, including teaching engagements, research collaboration, mentorship, and strategic academic interactions.

According to the statement, Mrs Adichie, one of the world’s most influential literary voices, was appointed in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature, creative writing, and global intellectual discourse.

“Her visiting professorship will enrich the arts and humanities through lectures, scholarly engagements, and mentorship of students and young academics.

“Prof Urama, a renowned development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, is appointed in view of his extensive expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking.

“His engagement is expected to strengthen teaching, research, and policy-oriented programmes, particularly in economics, development studies, and related disciplines, while Prof James Robinson is a political economist at the University of Chicago, whose work on institutions, governance, and economic development has earned global recognition.”

The visiting professors are expected to deepen academic collaboration, advance research, and expose students and lecturers to cutting-edge global scholarship in political economy and development studies.

The statement noted that the appointments align with the vice-chancellor’s commitment to attract eminent global scholars and industry leaders to UNN, in line with the vision of its founding fathers.

“UNN was founded to be a globally competitive institution. The latest appointments represent a significant step towards reclaiming that legacy and enhancing its global relevance,” the acting PRO said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mrs Adichie had attended UNN, where she studied medicine for about a year and a half, before moving to the United States for further education.