The Africa Multiple Research Centre (AMRC), University of Lagos (UNILAG), proudly celebrates a remarkable milestone as distinguished researchers at the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) and their associates from other departments in UNILAG have secured prestigious research grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the Cluster of Excellence in African Studies, University of Bayreuth, Germany.
This outstanding achievement is a testament to the intellectual excellence, innovation, and global impact of UNILAG scholars who continue to advance cutting-edge research on Africa and its diaspora. The awards highlight the growing reputation of UNILAG as a leading hub for globally relevant, interdisciplinary African scholarship.
The beneficiaries, along with team members from other universities in Africa, Europe, and South America, include:
| S/N | Project Title | Members |
| 1 | Memory, History, and the Production of National Culture in Africa | Dr. Tom Mboya (Moi University, Kenya) –Project Lead – 4yrs Dr. Abisoye Eleshin (University of Lagos) – 4yrs Dr. Fabio Figueiredo (UFBA, Brazil)- 4yrs |
| 2 | (Un/In) Habitability in African Urban Transition Zones | Prof. Dr. Cyrus Samimi (University of Bayreuth, Germany) -Project Lead – 4yrs Dr. Feyi Ademola-Adeoye (University of Lagos)- 4yrs Prof. Dr. Benjamin Kirby (University of Bayreuth, Germany)- 4yrs Prof. Dr. Heila Lotz-Sisitka (Rhodes University, South Africa) – 4yrs Dr. Nina Rholan Houngue (University of Bayreuth, Germany) – 4yrs |
| 3 | Digital Cultures and Textuality: Reframing, Re-imagining and Re-inventing African Ecocritical Narratives through Creative Works, Material Cultures and Digital Discourses | Prof. Tunde Ope-Davies (University of Lagos)- Project Lead – 4yrs Dr. Justine Sikuku (Moi University Kenya)-2yrs Dr. Cyriaque Pare (Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso)- 4yrs |
| 4 | Living with Violence, Navigating Insecurity: Un/Making Violent Worlds Across African Conflict Settings | Dr. Adam Sandor (University of Bayreuth, Germany) – Project Lead – 4yrs Dr. Moses Yakubu (University of Lagos)- 2yrs Dr. Melina Kalfelis (University of Bayreuth, Germany)- 4yrs |
| 5 | Digital Transition and Occupations in African Contexts: Case Studies in Burkinabe, Kenyan and Nigerian Universities | Prof. Dr. Natewinde Sawadogo (Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso) – Project Lead – 4yrs Dr. Bilqis Alayaki (University of Lagos)- 2yrs Ms. Joy Owango (TCC Africa, Kenya)- 2yrs |
| 6 | Translating African Oral Arts and World-Making in Digital Spaces | Dr. Rose Opondo (Moi University, Kenya) – Project Lead – 4yrs Dr. Oluwatoyin Olokodana-James (University of Lagos)- 4yrs Prof. Dr. Lynda G. Spencer (Rhodes University, South Africa)- 4yrs Dr. Barthelemy Kabore (Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso)- 4yrs |
| 7 | Popular Intelligence | Prof. Dr. Martin Doevenspeck (University of Bayreuth) – Project Lead – 2 years Prof. Dr. Peter Oni (University of Lagos)- 2 years Dr. Kamal Donko Lasdel (Benin Republic) – 2 years |
Established in January 2019 and renewed in May 2025 through the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State Governments, the Cluster of Excellence in African Studies, University of Bayreuth, Germany pursues an ambitious and innovative agenda expressed in the subtitle “Reconfiguring African Studies”. Initially comprising 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 with academic partner institutions in Africa, Germany, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on behalf of the Senate, staff, and students, congratulates all the awardees and the Africa Multiple Research Centre (AMRC) on this exceptional accomplishment.
