Nigerian breaks 187-yr-old record at University of London

 A Nigerian academic, Prof. Abiodun Alao will today deliver a professorial inaugural lecture at King’s College, University of London, making him first black African scholar to deliver such lecture since the school was established in 1829.

Alao is a professor of African Studies and was conferred with professorial title about two years ago alongside a Nigerian counterpart in the institution’s African Leadership Centre, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, making them the first black Africans to attain professorial cadre at the institution since its establishment.


The appointments have been confirmed in a letter by the institution’s President and Principal, Prof. Edward Byrne AC, which justified their elevations at the instance of their contributions to African peace and security.

In an institution that has produced 12 nobel laureates among its professors, the statement said Alao had distinguished himself, citing about 100 widely recognised 100 academic articles and Encyclopedia entries he has.