UI Professor, Olutayo Adesina, Wins British Academy Global Award, Defends Nigeria's Education Standard

University of Ibadan's Professor of History, Olutayo Adesina, recently won the prestigious British Academy Global Award for 2024, challenging the narrative of Nigeria's education system being in decline.

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In an interview, Professor Adesina emphasized that despite challenges, Nigeria's education standard remains formidable, surpassing many global benchmarks. His recognition with this esteemed award contradicts the misconceptions surrounding the state of Nigerian education.

The British Academy Global Award, initiated in 2018, offers professors worldwide an opportunity to compete for grants to fund their research projects. Adesina highlighted the competitive nature of these grants, requiring applicants to secure a host university in the UK to bolster their application.

Out of numerous submissions, only eight projects were selected for 2024, with two originating from Nigeria. Professor Adesina's winning research, titled 'The Town and Gown Interface: Ibadan and Decolonisation of Social Knowledge in the 20th Century,' will be conducted at the University of Manchester over four years, supported by an £879,117 grant.

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Another Nigerian recipient, Abubakar Sule Sani, was awarded £892,037.31 for his research theme 'Looking Forward, Looking Back: Past and Present West African Communities Revealed through Museum Collections,' hosted by the University of East Anglia.

Professor Adesina's recognition not only celebrates his academic excellence but also highlights the resilience and potential of Nigeria's educational sector on the global stage.

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