Prof. Nathaniel Umukoro Delivers Second Inaugural Lecture at Western Delta University

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Augustine Ikelegbe, described inaugural lectures as an academic tradition that celebrates the scholarly achievements and intellectual contributions of distinguished lecturers within the university community.

The inaugural lecturer, Professor Nathaniel Umukoro, a Professor of International Affairs, Conflict, Peace, and Strategic Studies from the Department of Political Science, presented a lecture titled “Unraveling the Dynamics of Conflict and Peace Conundrum in the International System from the Lens of Thermodynamics.”

Highlighting his academic pedigree, Professor Umukoro has served as a Fellow of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), USA (2013–2015), a Humboldt Fellow at Bayreuth, Germany (2022), and a Senior Fellow at PARI, Germany (2023), the University of Bonn (2024), and the Institute of Regional Geography, Leipzig, Germany (2025). He has published over 100 articles in high-impact journals.

During the lecture, Professor Umukoro explored the intricate relationship between peace, conflict, and security, explaining the fundamental types and dimensions of each. He linked concepts from thermodynamics to the dynamics of conflict and peace, analyzing real-world case studies from Syria, Ukraine, and Nigeria.

He concluded by drawing practical lessons on how theoretical principles of balance and transformation in thermodynamics can inform conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies in the international system.

The event was well attended by members of the university management, faculty, students, friends, and family members of the lecturer.