UNILAG Announces Call for Applications for Rahamon Bello Best Ph.D. Thesis Award 2025

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), through its Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), has called for applications for the 2025 Rahamon Bello Best Ph.D. Thesis Award in African and Diaspora Studies.

The award, instituted in honor of Professor Rahamon Bello, FAEng, former Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, is aimed at encouraging and celebrating early career scholars whose doctoral research engages African and diaspora issues, while promoting the reconfiguration of African Studies. It recognizes groundbreaking intellectual and multidisciplinary contributions in the field.

The winner of the award will receive $1,000, while the first runner-up will get $300, and the second runner-up will be awarded $200.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must have completed their doctorate between June 1, 2023, and June 31, 2025, in any university or research institute domiciled in Africa.
• The applicant’s field of study must fall within the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, or Education.

Required Documents:

• A cover letter/letter of interest indicating motivation to apply.
• An extended abstract of the Ph.D. thesis (not more than 1,500 words) covering background, problem statement, objectives, scope, significance, theoretical framework, methodology, findings, and contributions to knowledge.
• A soft copy of the Ph.D. thesis.
• An updated CV (academic status, employment history, and publications).
• A soft copy of the Ph.D. certificate.

All submissions must be in English.

Important Dates:

• Application closes: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. WAT).
• Assessment of applications: October 1 – October 31, 2025.
• Announcement of winners: Thursday, November 20, 2025.

For application details and further enquiries, candidates are directed to visit https://bit.ly/46oQj6Z or call +234 802 051 8923.