Dr. Kudus Oluwatoyin Adebayo of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, has been selected as one of the 2025 recipients of the prestigious Samora & Graça Machel Presidential Fellowship awarded by the African Studies Association (ASA).
The highly competitive fellowship recognises Africa-based scholars in the Humanities and Social Sciences for outstanding academic contributions to African Studies.
The 2025 cohort includes Dr. Adebayo, Khumisho Moguerane, and Eugenia Anderson—each selected for their scholarly excellence, originality, and impact.
Dr. Adebayo, a research fellow in the Diaspora and Transnational Studies Unit at UI, is known for his interdisciplinary research on African migrants, migration health, and knowledge production. As part of the fellowship, he will be hosted by Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
According to the ASA, the fellows will participate in its Annual Meeting, engage in academic exchanges at U.S. institutions, collaborate with Africanist scholars, and present their research to a global audience.
The programme is designed to elevate emerging voices and foster cross-continental intellectual dialogue.
Reacting to the honour, Dr. Adebayo described the award as a “testament to the relevance of research taking place at the University of Ibadan despite the many challenges facing scholars.”
“I am honoured to receive this fellowship award from the African Studies Association. I am especially grateful to Dr. Julie Cummiskey for nominating me and to the ASA award committee for recognising my work.
“This award is a meaningful encouragement and a testament to the relevance of the research taking place at the University of Ibadan, despite the many challenges we face. I am indebted to my mentors, teachers, and colleagues at the Department of Sociology and the Institute of African Studies, whose guidance and collaboration continue to shape my scholarly journey.”
The Fund was made possible by a generous gift from Allen and Barbara Isaacman, noted scholars of Mozambique and long-time contributors to African Studies.
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Named in honour of Samora & Graça Machel, the fellowship celebrates the legacy of these influential Mozambican leaders and their lifelong commitment to liberation, education, and human rights.
Established in 1957, the African Studies Association is the flagship membership organization devoted to enhancing the exchange of information about Africa.
The ASA is based in the United States and aims to cultivate a better understanding of the continent by providing access to path-breaking research and facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges with African scholars and institutions.
The ASA Annual Meeting fosters global networks by convening people with scholarly and other interests in Africa and ultimately broadens professional opportunities in the field.
The organization publishes two leading journals on Africa, African Studies Review, and History in Africa and promotes an informed understanding of Africa to educational institutions, the public, businesses, media, and other interested communities.