IADS-AMRC, UNILAG WINS GERMAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION (DFG) PROJECT GRANTS
The Director, Africa Multiple Research Centre (AMRC), University of Lagos, Research Professor Ayodele Yusuff is pleased to announce that some of the Researchers at the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) and some of their Associates from other departments at the University of Lagos have received grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the Cluster of Excellence in African Studies, University of Bayreuth for their various projects. This achievement reflects their scholarly excellence, commitment, and contribution to advancing African research. The Cluster, established in January 2019 and renewed in May 2025 through the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State Governments, and building on a long and stellar record in African Studies at the University of Bayreuth, the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence pursues an ambitious and innovative agenda, expressed in the subtitle “Reconfiguring African Studies”. Initially comprising of twenty-five Principal Investigators but steadily growing in membership, it now hosts more than 140 scholars from three continents, who represent a diverse range of academic disciplines and pursue joint research interests together with academic partner institutions in Africa, Germany, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. We sincerely appreciate the Cluster of Excellence in African Studies, University of Bayreuth, and the German Research Foundation (DFG) for their invaluable support and continued investment in collaborative African scholarship. The successful project titles and names of the Researchers and their Team Members from other Universities in Africa, Germany, Europe and South America are:- The Project entitled “Memory, History, and the Production of National Culture in Africa”has been awarded a 4-year grant between October 2026 and November 2030. The Team comprises Dr. Abisoye Eleshin (University of Lagos), Dr. Tom Mboya (Moi University, Kenya) and Dr. Fabio Figueiredo (UFBA, Brazil). The Project entitled “(Un/In) Habitability in African Urban Transition Zones” received a 4-year grant. The Cluster members on this project are Dr. Feyi Ademola-Adeoye (University of Lagos), Prof. Dr. Benjamin Kirby (University of Bayreuth, Germany), Prof. Dr. Cyrus Samimi (University of Bayreuth, Germany), Prof. Dr. Heila Lotz-Sisitka (Rhodes University, South Africa) and Dr. Nina Rholan Houngue (University of Bayreuth, Germany) The Project, titled “Digital Cultures and Textuality: Reframing, Re-imagining and Re-inventing African Ecocritical Narratives through Creative Works, Material Cultures and Digital Discourses”also received a 4-year grant award. Members consist of Prof. Tunde Ope-Davies (University of Lagos), Justine Sikuku (Moi University Kenya) and Dr. Cyriaque Pare (Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso). The Project, titled “Living with Violence, Navigating Insecurity: Un/Making Violent Worlds Across African Conflict Settings”received a 4-year grant award from the Cluster of Excellence. Members include Dr. Moses Yakubu (University of Lagos), Dr. Adam Sandor (University of Bayreuth, Germany) and Dr. Melina Kalfelis (University of Bayreuth, Germany). The Project entitled “Digital Transition and Occupations in African Contexts: Case Studies in Burkinabe, Kenyan and Nigerian Universities”also received a 4-year grant. Members include Dr. Bilqis Alayaki (University of Lagos) Prof. Dr. Natewinde Sawadogo (Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso), and Ms. Joy Owango (TCC Africa, Kenya). The Project, titled “Translating African Oral Arts and World-Making in Digital Spaces” also received a grant for a period of four (4) years. The members comprise Dr. Oluwatoyin Olokodana-James (University of Lagos), Dr. Rose Opondo (Moi University, Kenya), Prof. Dr. Lynda G. Spencer (Rhodes University, South Africa), and Dr. Barthelemy Kabore (Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso). The project entitled “Popular Intelligence” received a 2-year grant award between July 2026 and August 2028. The Team comprises Prof. Dr. Peter Oni (University of Lagos), Prof. Dr. Martin Doevenspeck (University of Bayreuth), and Kamal Donko Lasdel (Benin Republic).






