Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has joined the ranks of global academics following his appointment as a Visiting Scholar and Researcher at the African Studies Center at Boston University.
The appointment, announced by the centre under the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, will see Obaseki engage in academic research focused on governance, public policy, and economic reform across Africa.
According to the university, the former governor’s research will involve a detailed examination of policies and development programmes implemented during his eight-year tenure in Edo State, spanning 2016 to 2024.
The study is expected to assess both the achievements and shortcomings of his administration, with particular attention to reforms in public finance management, digital governance, education, and civil service restructuring.
The institution said the outcome of the research is expected to provide useful insights for policymakers, scholars, and development practitioners across Africa and beyond.
Director of the African Studies Center, Nimi Wariboko, welcomed Obaseki’s appointment, describing it as a significant addition to the centre’s intellectual community.
He noted that the former governor’s practical governance experience would enrich academic discussions on leadership and reform in Africa.
Wariboko also said Obaseki’s final output, expected to be a book manuscript, would contribute meaningfully to the centre’s scholarly output and research archive.
He added that the appointment reflects the centre’s tradition of engaging prominent African leaders who bring real-world governance experience into academic discourse.
Obaseki, reacting to the appointment, described it as a valuable opportunity for reflection and intellectual engagement after years in public office.
“I am excited by this appointment and the privilege it affords me to be part of this world-class university,” he said.
He added that the academic environment at Boston University would enable him to critically reflect on governance, development challenges, and policy innovation in Africa while engaging with global scholars.
Dean of the Pardee School of Global Studies, Scott Taylor, said the institution was pleased to host Obaseki and support his research on African political economy and public policy.
Founded in 1953, the African Studies Center is one of the oldest Africa-focused research institutions in the United States and continues to serve as a major hub for scholarship on African governance and development.
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