By Our Staff Reporter
Renowned Nigerian historian and Africanist, Professor Toyin Falola, has been appointed Honorary Elizabeth Isichei Professor of African History in the Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Jos, marking another significant milestone in his distinguished academic career and enduring contributions to African scholarship.
The appointment, conveyed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, on behalf of the University’s Governing Council and Senate, takes effect from 1 August 2026 and is for a five-year tenure. It recognizes Professor Falola’s exceptional scholarly achievements, outstanding contributions to research and teaching, international reputation in the field of history, and his longstanding engagement with the academic community.
The honour celebrates not only Professor Falola’s decades-long commitment to advancing African history but also the enduring legacy of Professor Elizabeth Isichei, whose pioneering scholarship on Nigerian history, the Igbo people, and Christianity in Africa has profoundly shaped African historiography.
Professor Falola, who serves as the Jacob and Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin, is internationally regarded as one of Africa’s foremost historians. Over the course of his career, he has authored and edited more than 200 books and hundreds of scholarly articles on African history, politics, religion, culture, and the African diaspora, influencing generations of scholars across Africa and beyond.
According to the appointment details, Professor Falola will contribute to the University of Jos by delivering public lectures and seminars, participating in collaborative research initiatives, mentoring faculty members and postgraduate students, supporting curriculum development, and representing the university in scholarly and professional engagements. The university noted that his association would significantly enrich its academic environment and strengthen intellectual development, mentorship, and collaborative research.
The appointment further reinforces Professor Falola’s standing as one of the continent’s most influential historians and is expected to deepen research collaborations, strengthen mentorship opportunities, and enhance international engagement in the field of African history.