UNN Names Chimamanda Adichie, AfDB’s Kevin Urama, And James Robinson As Visiting Professors

According to Ireporter Online, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed celebrated novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, African Development Bank executive Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, and University of Chicago scholar Prof. James Robinson as Visiting Professors, in a move aimed at strengthening the institution’s global academic standing.

The appointments were approved by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, and conveyed through official letters dated December 18, 2025. The letters detailed the scope of engagement for the visiting scholars, which includes teaching assignments, collaborative research, academic mentorship, and strategic intellectual exchanges.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, widely regarded as one of the most influential literary voices of her generation, was appointed in recognition of her exceptional contributions to literature, creative writing, and global thought leadership. The university noted that her engagement is expected to significantly enrich the arts and humanities through lectures, scholarly interactions, and mentorship of students and emerging academics.

Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, a renowned development economist and senior executive at the African Development Bank, was selected based on his extensive experience in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking. His involvement is anticipated to enhance teaching, research, and policy-focused programmes, particularly within economics, development studies, and related fields.

Also appointed is Prof. James Robinson, a distinguished political economist at the University of Chicago whose research on institutions, governance, and economic development has earned international acclaim. According to details contained in his appointment letter, his Visiting Professorship is designed to deepen academic collaboration, advance cutting-edge research, and expose UNN students and faculty to global best practices in political economy and development studies.

The Acting Public Relations Officer of the university, Inya Agha Egwu, stated that the appointments reflect the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to attracting eminent global scholars and industry leaders in line with the founding vision of the institution. He noted that the University of Nigeria was established to be globally competitive, adding that the latest appointments represent a significant step toward restoring that legacy and enhancing the university’s international relevance.

Egwu further explained that the Visiting Professorship initiative is aimed at promoting knowledge exchange, strengthening international partnerships, and bridging the gap between academic theory, public policy, and real-world practice. He added that the latest appointments bring the total number of Visiting Professors approved by the Vice-Chancellor in December 2025 to four.