Africa’s development questions…

The answers are partly with the intellectuals, bus conductors, market women and men, students and teachers, government, and the ‘anonymous others’ that have been neglected but yet waiting to be listened to.

Briefs about me

Teaching and research

I currently teach in the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU) and have been a Research Associate at the African Centre for the Study of the United States, University of Witwatersrand. My research essentially aims to answer, problematise, and draw attention to the seemingly simple question “Why is Africa poor?” I studied the prospects and challenges of the mutation of Organisation of African Unity into the African Union (BSc thesis). From this naive beginning, I leaped to understand China and why Africa can (not) replicate the Chinese miracle; developing what became known as the three realities of China in Africa: i.e. Chinese Domestica, Chinese Internationa, and Chinese Africana in the process (from two MSc theses). Soon I was attracted to other realities within Africa. One of these relate to the continent’s youthful population. So, can national youth service, a once popular intervention across the continent, be transformed to become a useful tool for social and economic transformation in contemporary Africa? What does the Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS), for instance, tell us? This was the focus of ‘THE’ PhD. Nothing much has changed since its completion (of course, I meant the PhD) but the interconnections between the research is becoming clearer in the postdoctoral phase; and the role of migration, violent conflict, research ethics, and knowledge (re)production are strongly emerging as new areas of research interest… So far, over 40 publications have emerged. Over 30 conferences attended, some in Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Tanzania, Germany, US, UK, and Switzerland. All these experiences have found space in my teaching, scientific network, further research, and interaction with students and friends within and outside LASU. Welcome to my intellectual universe…

Fellowships and awards

I was awarded the Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) Next Generation of Social Science in Africa fellowship (2013-2014), a doctoral fellowship at the Centre for Research on Peace and Development (CRPD), KU Leuven (2013-2017), a catalyst fellowship by the Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh (in 2019 and in 2020), the American Council of Learned Societies’ (ACLS) African Humanities Program (AHP) postdoctoral fellowship (2020-2021), a fellowship at the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa, University of Ghana (2022-2023), Coimbra Scholar at the University of Turku, Finland (2023), and the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (SSRC-APN) (2023-2024). All these fellowships are central to my research, community-engagement, and personal development — and the scientific network they offer(ed) me has remained an invaluable support system for my teaching and future plans. As the hair grows grey, I will be expanding, engaging, and challenging my own views and existing constructions.

Education

I studied at Lagos State University (Bachelors in Political Science), University of Lagos (Masters in Public and International Affairs), University of Ibadan (Masters in Political Science), and KU Leuven (PhD in Social Sciences). But I took quite useful short courses at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of Antwerp. This is in addition to a Diploma in Journalism from the Times Journalism Institute (TJI). Yet, I am an unapologetic student of the unappreciated teachers. Some of my most important lessons were not taught in classrooms, conferences, or other organised contexts, but by MMA/Kotoka taxi guys, Banku-and-tilapia sellers in Labadi, articulate traders in Makola/Oshodi, and others that hold aspects of the real knowledge on the street.

Science popularisation and media presence

Podcast – “Chinese Diplomacy in Sierra Leone and Nigeria With Tobi Oshodi,” China Global South Project, 1 March 2024: https://chinaglobalsouth.com/podcasts/chinese-diplomacy-in-sierra-leone-and-nigeria-with-tobi-oshodi/

Podcast – “China-Africa relations: Insights from six experts,” China Global South Project, 12 January 2024: https://chinaglobalsouth.com/podcasts/china-africa-relations-in-2024-insights-from-six-experts/

Podcast – “Chinese environmental footprint in Ghana,” Nordic Asian Podcast, 5 January 2024: https://newbooksnetwork.com/chinas-environmental-footprint-in-ghana-non-state-responses

Podcast – “A conversation with Molly Phee, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa.” Invitation by journalist Eric Olander and Asia-Africa scholar Cobus van Staden, the hosts, to (alongside Folashade Soule and Bob Wekesa) ask the US Assistant Secretary for State in charge of Africa, Phee, questions, 11 November 2022. https://thechinaproject.com/podcast/a-conversation-with-molly-phee-the-top-u-s-diplomat-for-africa/

Interview – “欧美之外的中国形象，也是复杂且多样的,” VOA Chinese, 8 September 2022, https://www.voachinese.com/a/the-image-of-china-is-is-also-complex-and-diverse-outside-of-europe-and-america-20220907/6735277.html

Panel – “China vs US: The battle for digital supremacy in Africa,” Mail & Guardian-organised webinar, 13 July 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Hy-59J4tc&t=6007s

Panel – “IJP Africa Talks #17: What China is up to in Africa and what do African countries expect?” International Programme (IJP), 20 January 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXRdShq3AD4

Blog – Oshodi, A.T. & U.O. Uzodike (2021) “Fifty years, five problems – and how Nigeria can work with China in future,” The Conversation, 21 April, https://theconversation.com/fifty-years-five-problems-and-how-nigeria-can-work-with-china-in-future-157254

Blog – Oshodi, A.T. (2021). “China’s relations with the African continent: Three elephants in the room,” Ryerson University Canadian Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Migration and Integration & OpenDemocracy, 23 March, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/pandemic-border/chinas-relations-with-the-african-continent-three-elephants-in-the-room/

Panel – The Diplomat webinar on “Africans perception on China” with Hannah Ryder (Development Reimagined) and Bob Wekesa (Witz), with Shannon Tiezzi (Editor-in-Chief, The Diplomat) moderating, 8 February 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_rbd1BI7eQ

Documentary – Foreign Policy Association (FPA) Great Decision on ‘China and Africa,’ featured in the documentary, 20 January 2021, https://youtu.be/5R2ZgJUkxII

Interview – “China’s Ties With Nigeria Are a Lot Better Than They Seem,” China Africa Project, interview with Eric and Cobus, 11 June 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdZ-iq_YPO0&t=972s

Blog – Oshodi, A.T. (2020). “Why Maltreatment of Nigerians in China may not End Soon,” The Conversation, 28 May, https://theconversation.com/why-maltreatment-of-nigerians-in-china-may-not-end-soon-137828

Blog – Oshodi, A.T. (2019). “Beijing’s Rise and Taiwan’s Decline in Africa: What does the African University tell Us?” Taiwan Insight, University of Nottingham, UK, 14 August, https://taiwaninsight.org/2019/08/14/beijings-rise-and-taiwans-decline-in-africa-what-does-the-african-university-tell-us/

Blog – Oshodi, A.T. (2018). “Nigeria-Taiwan row: Understanding China’s influence in Africa,” Taiwan Insight, University of Nottingham, UK, 22 January, https://taiwaninsight.org/2018/01/22/nigeria-taiwan-row-understanding-chinas-influence-in-africa/

Media position piece – “Academics task African leaders on Chinese investment,” Information Nigeria, 7 June 2012: https://www.informationng.com/2012/06/academics-task-african-leaders-on-chinese-investment.html

Selected projects and research

2023-2024 Postdoctoral research on “News media and Nigerians in Ghana: Exploring the prospects and challenges of peace journalism” (https://www.ssrc.org/news/2023/08/21/introducing-the-african-peacebuilding-networks-and-next-generation-social-sciences-in-africas-2023-fellows/ )

2022-2023 Postdoctoral research on Chinese environmental footprint in Africa, the case of Ghana ( https://www.ug.edu.gh/mias-africa/fellows/abdul-gafar-oshodi )

2020-2021 Postdoctoral research on China in Ghanaian newspapers, 1957-1976 (https://www.acls.org/fellow-grantees/abdul-gafar-oluwatobiloba-oshodi/ )

2020 University of Edinburgh Centre of African Studies Catalyst fellowship, working on what motivates youths in agriculture in Ghana

2013-2017 Doctoral research on Ghana’s National Service Scheme (https://soc.kuleuven.be/crpd/nationbuilding-and-youth-service-schemes-in-ghana-and-nigeria ).

2013-2014 Social Science Research Council’s Next Generation of Social Science in Africa fellowship, political economy of Chinese infrastructure in Lagos

Selected academic publications

Africa-China relations

Oshodi, A.T. (2023). “(Re-)Defining the role of the African University in Africa-China relations.” In: Folashade Soulé-Kohndou (ed.). Shaping the future of Africa-China engagement, Dakar: Collective for the Renewal of Africa (CORA), pp. 206-252.

Oshodi, A.T. (2023). “Framing Chinese treatment of Africans in Guangzhou: A study of Nigerian and Ghanaian online newspapers,” African Human Mobility Review, 9(2): 36-59.

Oshodi, A.T. (2023). Book review – “China and Africa: The new era, by Daniel Large. Cambridge: Polity, 2021,” African Affairs, 122(486): 183–184.

Oshodi, A.T. (2022). “Nigeria sees China as a steady partner and its largest lender.” In: Jacob Gunter and Helena Legarda (eds.). Beyond Blocs: Global views on China and US-China relations, Berlin: Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), pp. 63-69.

Oshodi, A.T. (2022). “Technologies, a higher education for Africa,” Africa in Fact, ‘China vs US: The battle for digital supremacy in Africa’ edition, Issue No. 62, pp. 66-71.

Oshodi, A.T., Moshood, A.B., & Ubabudu, C., (2022). “China, Taiwan and the African University.” In: Sabella O. Abidde (ed). Africa-China-Taiwan, 1949-2020. Maryland: Lexington Books.

Oshodi, A.T, Anakor, C., & Obisesan, S. (2022). “Re-reading Nigeria-Taiwan affairs: Alternatives to Sino-centric narratives.” In: Sabella O. Abidde (ed). Africa-China-Taiwan, 1949-2020. Maryland: Lexington Books.

Oshodi, A.T. & Barnett, J. (2021). “Confucius Institutes in West Africa: Extending Chinese Influence?” The French version: “Les Instituts Confucius En Afrique De L’ouest: Une Extension De L’influence Chinoise?” West Africa Insight, Vol. 6(1), pp. 5-9.

Mudasiru, S. & Oshodi, A. T. (2021). “Reporting the Dragon: A Thematic Study of Anti-Chinese Sentiments in ‘China in Africa’ news coverage.” In: Sabella O. Abidde & Tokunbo A. Ayoola (eds), China in Africa: Imperialist or partnership in humanitarian development, Maryland, US: Lexington Books, pp. 233-261.

Seteolu, F. & Oshodi, A. T. (2018). “Oscillation of two Giants: Sino-Nigeria Relations and the Global South.” Journal of Chinese Political Science, Vol. 23(2), pp. 257-285.

Oshodi, A. T. (2015). “Between the Dragon’s Gift and its Claws: China in Africa and the (Un)Civil fostering of ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.” In: Axel Marx, Jan Wouters, Glenn Rayp & Laura Beke (eds.). Global Governance of Labor Rights: Assessing the Effectiveness of Transnational Public and Private Policy Initiatives. Massachusetts, US: Edward Elgar, pp. 190-208.

Oshodi, A. T. & Ajayi, B. (2015). “Can Pax Nigeriana survive Chinese Africana?” In: Gloria Chuku (ed.). Ethnicities, Nationalities, and Cross-cultural Representations in Africa and Diaspora. Durham, North Carolina, US: Carolina Academic Press, pp. 261-284.

Oshodi, A. T. (2015). “Sino-pessimism versus Sino-optimism: Which way for Chinese Africana?” In: Charles Quist-Adade & Vincent Dodoo (eds.). Africa’s Many Divides and Africa’s Future: Pursuing Nkrumah’s Vision of Pan-Africanism in an Era of Globalisation. Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 190-216.

Oshodi, A. T. (2013). “Chinese Africana versus Chinese Internationa: Africanising the Chinese Option.” In: Adelaja Odukoya (ed.). Alternative Development Strategies for Africa: A Festschrift for Gabriel Olatunde Babawale. Lagos, Nigeria: Centre for Black and African Art and Civilisation (CBAAC), pp. 217-242.

Oshodi, A. T. (2012). “Colonialism or Post-colonial Recolonisation: A Comparative Analysis of British Colonialism and China’s Presence in Post-colonial Africa.” In: Joseph Mangut & Terhemba Wuam (eds.). Colonialism and the Transition to Modernity in Africa. Lapai, Nigeria: Ibrahim Babamasi Babangida University, pp. 767-790.

Oshodi, A. T. (2012). “Does China’s Activities in Africa Mean Colonisation?” The Constitution, Vol. 12(3), pp. 1-54. 12.

Oshodi, A. T. (2011). “ECOWAS and the Chinese Option.” In: Lambert N’galadjo Bamba, Gervasio Semedo & Simeon Koffi (eds.) Sortir Du Sous-Développement: Quelles Nouvelles Pistes Pour L’afrique De L’ouest? Financement et coopération (Tome 2), [trans. Out of Underdevelopment: What new avenues for West Africa? Funding and Cooperation (Volume 2)], Paris, France: L’Harmattan, pp. 71-96.

Pan-Africanism, Media, nation-building, peace and conflict

Mudasiru, S.O., Oshodi, A.T, & Fatai, A. (2023). “Omolúàbí: Understanding the Yoruba’s moral obligations in human wellbeing and its implications for political participation in Nigeria – Insights from Ikorodu.” In: Bolaji Bateye, Mahmoud Masaeli, Louise Müller, and Angela Roothaan (eds.), Beauty in African thought: Critical perspectives on the Western idea of development, Maryland: Lexington Books, pp. 213-226.

Longi, F. & Oshodi, A.T. (2022). “Can the African university take over national youth service? Some reflections on Ghana’s University for Development Studies,” Constitution, 22(1&2): 46-76.

Oshodi, A.T. (2021). “When Reporters become Victims: The Nigerian media and the Boko Haram conflict.” In: Temitope Oriola, Freedom Onuoha, & Samuel Oyewole (eds.), Boko Haram’s Campaign of terror in the Lake Chad Basin: Context, Dimensions, and Future Trajectories. Routledge.

Oshodi, A. & Oshodi, A. T. (2020). “Commonwealth Observation and Elections in Nigeria,” The Round Table, Vol. 109(4), pp. 419-428.

Aderemi, A.; Oshodi, T.; Oyefolu, S. (2020). “The Political Economy of the African Crisis through the Lens of Bade Onimode.” In: Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba & Toyin Falola (eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Africa Political Economy, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Oshodi, A. T. (2019). “Framing Migrants in the Media: An Explorative Study of Nigerians in Ghana’s News Media.” In: Adewale Aderemi, Olufemi Lawal, & Jubril Jawando (eds.). Africa in the competitive 21st Century: Towards an Agenda for Urgent Repositioning, Lagos: Free Enterprise, pp. 162-180.

Oshodi, A. T. & Longi, Felix (2019). “Beyond the Three Jagabans: Constructing the Pan-African Ideas of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” In: Olanrewaju Fagbohun & Adewale Aderemi (eds.). Statesmanship and Political Leadership: Analysis of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Lagos: Lagos State University Press, pp. 341-369.

Langer, A. & Oshodi, A. T (2017). “In Search of a (New) Purpose? An Analysis of Ghana’s National Service Scheme (NSS),” Centre for Research on Peace and Development (CRPD) Working Paper No. 52. https://soc.kuleuven.be/crpd/files/working-papers/WP52.pdf

Oshodi, T. (2016). “The ‘Controversial’ Mastery of Mazrui… Adieu to one of Africa’s all time best!” In: Seifudein Adem, Jideofor Adibe, Abdul Karim Bangura & Abdul Samed Bemath (compiled). A giant tree has fallen: Tributes to Ali Al’amin Mazrui, South Africa: African Perspectives Publishing, pp. 481-483.

Pogoson, A. I. & Oshodi, T. (2015). “Nigeria and the Challenges of Regional Security.” African Journal of International Affairs and Development, Vol. 19(1&2), pp. 192–216.

Oshodi, A. T. (2015). “Agents of Peace in Nigeria’s 2015 General Election: Who are They and What Did They Do?” The Constitution, Vol. 15(3&4), pp. 126-137.

Afaha, P. & Oshodi, A. (2014). “History and Challenges of Inter-governmental Relations in Nigeria.” AKSU Journal of History & Global Studies, Vol. 1(1&2), pp. 262-281.

Oshodi, A. T. (2011). “International Groups and the Niger Delta Crisis: Phantoming the Missing Nexus.” In: Conference Proceedings for Confronting the Challenges of Development, Environmental Management and Peace Building in the Niger Delta: Beyond the Amnesty, Benin, Nigeria: Centre for Population and Environment (CPED), pp. 164-171.

Oshodi, A. T. (2011). “Political Corruption and the Paradox of Representation: Redefining Corruption in Developing Societies.” In: Shri Bhagwan Dahiya & Kavita Chakravarty (eds.), Governance issues and corruption, Rohtak, India: Intellectual Foundation, pp. 29-47.

Oshodi, T. (2010). “Filling in the Religious Vacuum in a Failed State: A Study of the Islamic Courts in Somalia.” In: T. A. Muhammad Baba, Sulaiman Y. Balarabe Kura & Ibrahim Muhammad B. Zagga (eds.). Religion and International Relations in the Post Cold-War Era. Sokoto, Nigeria: Centre for Peace Studies & Department of Political Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, pp. 91-105.

Oshodi, A. T., Mcphillips, N., & Odiogor, H. (2010). “From Solidarity Melodies to Rhythmic Opposition: Music and Politics in Nigeria (1960-2010).” In: Solomon Akinboye & M. M. Fadakinte (eds.) Fifty Years of Nationhood? State, Society and Politics in Nigeria (1960-2010). Lagos, Nigeria: Concept Publications, pp. 245-272.

Oshodi, A. T. (2010). “Between Jos III and Jos IV: Failures of Mitigating Factors.” In: Talla Ngarka Sunday & Reuben B. Ziri, (eds.). Law and National Security in the Fourth Republic, Benue, Nigeria: Aboki Publishers, pp. 153-169.

Methodological, research ethics and instructional

Calia, C.; Reid, C.; Guerra, C.; Amos, A.; Burke, J.; & Oshodi, A. (2022). “Doing Ethical Research Together: A Communitarian Toolkit for Ethical Research Beyond Borders,” Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, Vol. 13(2) https://www.gjcpp.org/en/article.php?issue=43&article=263

Calia, C.; Guerra, C.; Reid, C; Marley, C.; Barrera, P; Oshodi, A.T; & Boden, L. (2021). “Developing an Evidence-base to Guide Ethical Action in Global Challenges Research in Complex and Fragile Contexts: A Scoping Review of the Literature,” Ethics and Social Welfare, Vol. 16(1): 54-72.

Calia, C.; Reid, C.; Guerra, C.; Oshodi, T.; Marley, C.; Amos, A.; Barrera, P. & Grant, L. (2020). “Ethical Challenges in the COVID-19 Research Context: A Toolkit for Supporting Analysis and Resolution”, Ethics & Behavior, Vol. 31(1), pp. 60-75.

Moshood, A. B. & Oshodi, A. T. (2018). “Breaking the Ice: The Nigerian University System and its Funding Challenges.” In: Olanrewaju Fagbohun & Adewale Aderemi (eds.). Global aids and tertiary education in Nigeria, Lagos: Profemative Concepts Int’l, pp. 61-93.

Langer, A., Meuleman, B., Oshodi, A. T., & Schroyens, M. (2017). “Can Student Populations in Developing Countries be Reached by Online Surveys? The Case of the National Service Scheme Survey (N3S) in Ghana.” Field Methods, Vol. 29(2), pp. 154-170.

Mudasiru, S. O, Oshodi, A. T. & Fatai, A. S. (2016). “Introduction to Political Science.” In: Ayo Omotayo, Kayode Taiwo & Olabisi Yusuff (eds.). Foundations of Social Sciences: A Book of Readings, Lagos: LASU Press, pp. 181-204.

Mudasiru, S. O, Oshodi, A. T. & Fatai, A. S. (2016). “State and Non-state Actors in International Relations.” In: Ayo Omotayo, Kayode Taiwo & Olabisi Yusuff (eds.), Foundations of Social Sciences: A Book of Readings, Lagos: LASU Press, pp. 227-247.