Morgan State University’s Dr. Hakeem Tijani Elected to Prestigious Nigerian Academy of Letters

The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) Board of Fellows has elected Morgan State University’s Dr. Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani, professor of history and executive director of the Division of International Affairs’ Office of Global Partnerships-Africa, as one of the Academy’s new fellows. The highly competitive and distinguished honor recognizes Dr. Tijani’s outstanding contributions to history and humanities in Nigeria and globally.

The Nigerian Academy of Letters fellowship is one of the highest academic honors in Nigeria, awarded annually to a select group of full professors who have held the rank for at least a decade. Candidates are rigorously evaluated based on their academic publications, teaching, global service to humanity, and contributions to advancing knowledge in their field. Only one fellow is elected annually in each area of specialization, making this achievement particularly significant.

The NAL Board of Fellows recognized Dr. Tijani for challenging hegemonic historiography and groundbreaking work on the nationalist movements, decolonization processes, and liberation struggles in British West Africa during the Cold War era. Dr. Tijani’s research has reshaped the understanding of West African history, and his scholarship on decolonization has been lauded for its critical analysis and intellectual depth.

The Board also emphasized his work as a leading advocate of multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies, particularly in pedagogy. One member noted, “Professor Tijani’s publications exhibit analytical rigor, intellectual breadth and depth, and a lucid and compelling writing style.” His work advances historical understanding and enriches educational methods and approaches across multiple disciplines.

Dr. Tijani’s election to the NAL Board of Fellows reflects his remarkable career, which spans academic leadership, global scholarship, and teaching. He served as the founding deputy vice chancellor and dean of the faculty of Arts and Education at Adeleke University from 2011 to 2017. Additionally, he was the founding director of the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies at the National Open University of Nigeria, where he currently serves as a visiting professor and supervises three Ph.D. students. His influence extends beyond Nigeria, as Dr. Tijani is also a U.S. Fulbright Specialist Program fellow to the Afro-American University of Central Africa in Equatorial Guinea and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in the United Kingdom and the Society for Peace Studies and Practice.

Dr. Tijani’s election to the NAL further enhances Morgan State University’s growing reputation for academic excellence and global impact. His induction places him alongside a distinguished list of Morgan faculty recognized by national academies in the United States and abroad, underscoring the University’s commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering international engagement.

The Nigerian Academy of Letters is the apex body for arts and literature in Nigeria. It is an autonomous and scholarly institution dedicated to advancing scholarship and public interest in the humanities at the highest levels. As a newly elected Fellow, Dr. Tijani joins a select group of scholars whose work has shaped the intellectual landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

Morgan State University congratulates Dr. Hakeem Tijani on this exceptional achievement and looks forward to his continued contributions to academia and global scholarship.