The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, African Development Bank executive Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, and University of Chicago scholar Prof. James Robinson as Visiting Professors, in a strategic move to strengthen the institution’s global academic profile.
The appointments, approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, were communicated through official letters dated December 18, 2025, Hobnob News reports.
According to the university, the visiting professors will contribute through teaching engagements, collaborative research, mentorship, and strategic academic interactions designed to enhance UNN’s international standing.
Adichie, one of the world’s most influential contemporary writers, was appointed in recognition of her exceptional contributions to literature, creative writing, and global intellectual discourse. The university said her engagement would significantly enrich the arts and humanities through lectures, scholarly exchanges, and the mentorship of students and early-career academics.
Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, a renowned development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, was appointed based on his expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking. UNN noted that his presence would strengthen teaching and research in economics, development studies, and related fields.
Also appointed is Prof. James Robinson, a globally respected political economist at the University of Chicago, widely known for his work on institutions, governance, and economic development. The university said his visiting role would deepen academic collaboration and expose students and faculty to cutting-edge global scholarship.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Inya Agha Egwu, said the appointments align with the Vice-Chancellor’s commitment to attracting eminent global scholars to UNN.
“The University of Nigeria was founded to be a globally competitive institution. These appointments represent a significant step towards reclaiming that legacy and enhancing the university’s global relevance,” Egwu said.
He added that the Visiting Professorships are designed to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international linkages, and bridge the gap between theory, policy, and practice.
Egwu further disclosed that the latest appointments bring the number of Visiting Professors named by the Vice-Chancellor in December 2025 to four, describing the development as a clear indication of UNN’s renewed drive for academic excellence on the global stage.
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