The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed internationally acclaimed writer Chimamanda Adichie, African Development Bank executive Prof. Kevin Urama, and Prof. James Robinson of the University of Chicago as Visiting Professors, part of a strategic effort to enhance the institution’s global academic standing.
The appointments, approved by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya, were communicated through official letters dated December 18, 2025.
According to the university, the Visiting Professors will engage in teaching, mentorship, collaborative research, and strategic academic interactions designed to strengthen UNN’s international profile.
Chimamanda Adichie, renowned for her contributions to literature and global intellectual discourse, was appointed in recognition of her achievements in creative writing and the arts. UNN highlighted that her presence would enrich the arts and humanities at the university.
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“Her Visiting Professorship will add immense value to our academic community through lectures, scholarly engagements, and the mentorship of students and young academics,” the university stated.
Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, a distinguished development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, was selected for his expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking. UNN noted that his appointment will bolster teaching and research in economics, development studies, and related disciplines.
Prof. James Robinson, a globally respected political economist from the University of Chicago, is widely known for his work on institutions, governance, and economic development. The university said his Visiting Professorship will foster academic collaboration and expose students and faculty to advanced scholarship in political economy and development studies.
Commenting on the appointments, UNN’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr. Inya Agha Egwu, said, “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 added that the Visiting Professorships aim to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international linkages, and bridge the gap between theory, policy, and practice.
Egwu further noted that these appointments bring the total number of Visiting Professors appointed by the Vice-Chancellor in December 2025 to four, describing the move as “a clear signal of UNN’s renewed drive for global excellence.”