The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed globally acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, African Development Bank executive Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, and University of Chicago scholar Prof. James Robinson as Visiting Professors.
The appointments, approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, were conveyed through official letters dated December 18, 2025.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Inya Agha Egwu, UNN said the Visiting Professors are expected to engage in teaching, collaborative research, mentorship, and strategic academic interactions that will enhance the university’s global standing.
Adichie, one of the world’s most influential contemporary literary voices, was appointed in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature, creative writing, and global intellectual discourse. The university noted that her engagement would significantly enrich the arts and humanities through lectures, scholarly exchanges, and mentorship of students and young academics.
“Her Visiting Professorship will add immense value to our academic community,” the university said.
Prof. Urama and Prof. James Robinson
Prof. Urama, a distinguished development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, was appointed based on his extensive expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking. UNN said his presence would strengthen teaching and research in economics, development studies, and related disciplines.
Also appointed is Prof. James Robinson, a globally respected political economist at the University of Chicago, renowned for his work on institutions, governance, and economic development. The university said his appointment would deepen academic collaboration and expose students and faculty to cutting-edge global scholarship in political economy and development studies.
Speaking on the appointments, Egwu said the move aligns 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,” he said.
Egwu added that the Visiting Professorships are designed to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international linkages, and bridge the gap between theory, policy, and practice.
He further disclosed that the latest appointments bring the number of Visiting Professors appointed by the Vice-Chancellor in December 2025 to four, describing the development as “a clear signal of UNN’s renewed drive for global excellence.
