OOU Lecturer Odunsi Becomes First Nigerian Urban Planner to Win Humboldt Research Fellowship
Dr. Oluwafemi Odunsi, a lecturer at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), has become the first Nigerian urban planner to win the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Dr. Oluwafemi Odunsi, a distinguished lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), has made history by becoming the first Nigerian urban planner to be awarded the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship. This highly competitive fellowship, granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, is a testament to Dr. Odunsi’s exceptional commitment, resilience, and academic excellence in the socio-environmental sciences.
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The Humboldt Research Fellowship is renowned globally for supporting outstanding researchers in various fields, allowing them to conduct independent research in Germany for 6 to 24 months. Recipients collaborate with leading academic hosts at top research institutions. Dr. Odunsi will be conducting his research at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) under the mentorship of Professor Andreas Rienow.
Dr. Odunsi, an alumnus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, completed his Master’s and Ph.D. at Obafemi Awolowo University. Throughout his academic career, he has demonstrated a profound interest in research, earning several accolades, including the Travel Access Project (TAP) grant, the Consortium of Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA-ItSTRETO) fellowship, and the Santa Fe Institute Complexity Interactive (SFI-CI) Scholarship.
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At OOU, Dr. Odunsi has been instrumental in research, leadership, and mentorship within the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. He has published over 35 peer-reviewed articles in reputable local and international journals, significantly contributing to the field.
During his fellowship at RUB, Dr. Odunsi is investigating the impacts of economic development clusters on settlement expansion and ecosystems in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and computer simulations, his research aims to provide valuable insights into sustainable urban planning and development.
This achievement not only brings honor to Dr. Odunsi and his hometown of Sagamu but also highlights the global recognition of Nigerian scholars in urban planning.
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