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Abiodun Alao

Professor Abiodun Alao

Professor of African Studies

Research interests

  • International development
  • International relations
  • Conflict
  • Security
  • Policy

Biography

Abiodun Alao is a Professor of African Studies at the African Leadership Centre.

He teaches on the African Leadership Centre MSc programmes and supervises postgraduate students. He is also the Chair of the Centre’s Examination Board and also the Acting Chair of the School of Global Affairs Exam Board.

Abiodun holds a BA in History and MA in International Relations from the Universities of Ibadan and Ife, respectively. He holds a Doctorate in War Studies from King’s, where he was a Ford Foundation Doctoral Scholar and also held the SSRC-MacArthur Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

Previously, he held teaching and research position at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, Nigeria and was a Visiting Research Associate at the University of Zimbabwe. He also holds a Visiting Professorship position at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Research

  • Emerging powers and global leadership
  • The politics of natural resources management
  • Religious radicalisation and political violence
  • Politics, security and international relations in Africa

Apart from extensive publications on African security issues, he has undertaken numerous assignments for international organisations, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, World Bank and ECOWAS, and for individual countries.

In 2000, he was part of the team that undertook a comprehensive Threat Assessment for Rwanda after the genocide, and between 2001 and 2002 he was amongst the team of academic experts that advised the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Civil War in Sierra Leone.

He co-authored the Concept Note for the Common Defence and Security Policy for the Africa Union in 2003 and also co-authored the first post-Civil War National Security Strategy Framework for Liberia.

He was also a member of the King’s team that worked on the 'Development of Donor Countries Effectiveness in Fragile States.'

Further details

See Abiodun's research profile

    Research

    twisted gun promo
    Conflict, Security & Development Research Group

    CSDRG undertakes a wide range of research, policy, advisory, and teaching activities related to conflict, security and development.

    mental health conflict hero
    Centre for Conflict & Health Research

    Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

    News

    King's academics discuss youth, protest, and peacebuilding with the state in Africa

    Academics from the African Leadership Centre recently co-hosted and attended a town hall discussion on youth, protest and peace-building with the state in...

    Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, speaking at the Wilton Park Town Hall event

    New book sheds light on religious violence in Nigeria and those who gain from it

    Abiodun Alao, Professor of African Studies at the African Leadership Centre, has released his latest book investigating the root causes and historical...

    Rage and Carnage in the Name of God book cover_cropped

    New op-ed series on COVID-19 in and for Africa

    The African Leadership Centre (ALC) has launched an African-focused op-ed series to track, analyse and reflect on COVID-19 in and for Africa.

    Health workers prepare hand sanitiser, Africa

    Events

    28NovNigeria

    Book launches: 'Rage and Carnage in the Name of God' and 'Religion, Public Health and Human Security in Nigeria'

    A double book launch on 'Rage and Carnage in the Name of God' and 'Religion, Public Health and Human Security in Nigeria' with the author of the books,...

    Please note: this event has passed.

    27MarALC Alumni Conference 2021

    African Leadership Centre Alumni Conference

    Peace and Wellbeing in Uncertain Times: Ten years of conceptualizing security and leadership in Africa

    Please note: this event has passed.

      Research

      twisted gun promo
      Conflict, Security & Development Research Group

      CSDRG undertakes a wide range of research, policy, advisory, and teaching activities related to conflict, security and development.

      mental health conflict hero
      Centre for Conflict & Health Research

      Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

      News

      King's academics discuss youth, protest, and peacebuilding with the state in Africa

      Academics from the African Leadership Centre recently co-hosted and attended a town hall discussion on youth, protest and peace-building with the state in...

      Professor 'Funmi Olonisakin, speaking at the Wilton Park Town Hall event

      New book sheds light on religious violence in Nigeria and those who gain from it

      Abiodun Alao, Professor of African Studies at the African Leadership Centre, has released his latest book investigating the root causes and historical...

      Rage and Carnage in the Name of God book cover_cropped

      New op-ed series on COVID-19 in and for Africa

      The African Leadership Centre (ALC) has launched an African-focused op-ed series to track, analyse and reflect on COVID-19 in and for Africa.

      Health workers prepare hand sanitiser, Africa

      Events

      28NovNigeria

      Book launches: 'Rage and Carnage in the Name of God' and 'Religion, Public Health and Human Security in Nigeria'

      A double book launch on 'Rage and Carnage in the Name of God' and 'Religion, Public Health and Human Security in Nigeria' with the author of the books,...

      Please note: this event has passed.

      27MarALC Alumni Conference 2021

      African Leadership Centre Alumni Conference

      Peace and Wellbeing in Uncertain Times: Ten years of conceptualizing security and leadership in Africa

      Please note: this event has passed.