The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie alongside Professor Kevin Chika Urama of the African Development Bank and Professor James Robinson of the University of Chicago as visiting professors.
The university said the appointments form part of efforts to strengthen its academic profile and enhance its visibility within the global scholarly community.
Approval for the appointments was granted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, and formally communicated to the appointees through letters dated 18 December 2025.
UNN explained that the visiting professors will participate in teaching, joint research, academic mentoring and high-level intellectual engagements designed to enrich learning and research across key disciplines.
Adichie, a globally recognised literary figure, was appointed in acknowledgement of her significant impact on literature, creative writing and international intellectual conversations. The university stated that her involvement would provide major benefits to programmes in the arts and humanities.
According to the institution, her visiting role will include public lectures, scholarly interactions and mentorship for students and early-career academics.
Professor Urama, a development economist and senior executive at the African Development Bank, was selected for his expertise in development economics, climate policy and data-driven public policy. UNN noted that his presence would bolster research and teaching in economics, development studies and related fields.
Also appointed is Professor James Robinson, a renowned political economist whose work focuses on governance, institutions and economic development. The university said his appointment would promote international academic collaboration and expose staff and students to advanced global research in political economy.
Commenting on the development, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Inya Agha Egwu, said the appointments reflect the Vice-Chancellor’s determination to attract world-class scholars to UNN.
He described the move as part of a broader strategy to restore the university’s founding vision as a globally competitive institution.
Egwu added that the visiting professorships are intended to encourage knowledge exchange, strengthen international partnerships and bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world policy application.
He further disclosed that the latest appointments bring the total number of visiting professors named by the Vice-Chancellor in December 2025 to four, describing the development as a strong indication of UNN’s renewed pursuit of academic excellence and global relevance.
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