Institute of African and Diaspora Studies honours winners

The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) at the University of Lagos has celebrated exceptional scholarship by awarding the 2024 Rahmon Bello Best PhD Thesis in African Studies.

The event, held in Lagos, highlighted the institute’s commitment to recognising outstanding doctoral research that addresses Africa’s unique challenges and realities.

For the first time in the award’s five-year history, a non-Nigerian emerged as the overall winner.

Jacob Katumusiime from Uganda received the top prize for his thesis titled “Beyond Religio-Cultural Violence: A Historico-Political Recontextualization of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God.”

Reflecting on the significance of his work, Katumusiime said, “My study explains how religious movements emerge, particularly in post-colonial Africa, where such movements are numerous.”

The first runner-up was Wasiu Oluwafunminiyi Raheem from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, for his thesis “A History of Sacred Water Bodies (Holy Wells) in Yorubaland Up to 2016.”

The second runner-up, Oshodi Kafayat Omowonuola from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, was honoured for her research titled “Spousal Deployment and Perceived Perinatal Risks Experience Among Army Personnel Wives in Selected Barracks in the Southwest, Nigeria.”

(L-R, Wasiu Oluwafunminiyi Raheem of the Department of History & International Studies, University of Ilorin, Nigeria, emerged as the 1st runner-up; Jacob Katumusiime, from Uganda, is the first non-Nigerian winner of the Award since its inception five years ago; Oshodi Kafayat Omowonuola of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, finished as the 2nd runner-up.

The honouree of the award, Professor Rahamon Bello, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, praised the institute for its commitment to excellence in research. “What is making the award known is not me but the institute itself because it has performed excellently well in terms of its expected activities,” he said.

He emphasised that IADS has established itself as a leading research centre, noting, “In research, it is probably the number one in Africa.

Scholars from the University of Lagos keep attracting grants, and their efforts have raised the profile of the institute.”

Bello also highlighted the growing global recognition of IADS. “All the assessors were outside the nation, and this is because of the recognition gained so far.

People are now aware and looking forward to putting their entries,” he added.

Professor Muyiwa Falaiye, Director of IADS, described the award as a testament to the institute’s advocacy for promoting the work of scholars.

“Our work is to champion scholarly contributions, especially at the PhD level.

This year’s award is significant as it marks the first time we have a winner from outside Nigeria,” he said.

(L-R,Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye, Director of IADS, Prof. Rahmon Bello’s wife, Wasiu Oluwafunminiyi Raheem of the Department of History & International Studies, University of Ilorin, Nigeria emerged the 1st Runner-Up for, Jacob Katumusiime, from Uganda, is the first non-Nigerian winner of the Award since its inception five years ago, Oshodi Kafayat Omowonuola of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, finished 2nd Runner-Up & Prof. Rahmon Bello).

The Chief Assessor, Professor Olutayo Adesina, commended the quality of submissions. “These theses are not mere collocations or low-hanging fruits. They are highly understudied, exhilarating, and thorough,” he said, describing all contributors as winners.

Reflecting on the institute’s future,the Director of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos, Prof Falaiye noted its increasing influence. “The institute has become a reference point for research in Africa.

Our collaborations and activities have attracted recognition from international bodies, and we aim to expand further, drawing scholars from across the continent,” he said.

The Rahmon Bello Best PhD Thesis Award continues to promote impactful research, addressing critical issues in African development and reinforcing IADS’s mission to inspire the next generation of researchers, Edutimes Africa Learnt.