Professor Azeez Olusola Olaniyan was born to the family of Pa Mohammed and Princess Fayomade Olaniyan at Olowatishi Compound, Uba Quarter, Ogotun Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government area of Ekiti State. He had his primary and secondary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School and Ogotun High School, Ogotun Ekiti, respectively. He worked for some time as an accounts clerk at Ojorube Grammar School, Ogotun Ekiti, before proceeding to the Polytechnic, Ibadan, for a National Diploma in Mass Communication. He emerged as the best graduating student, and won the Departmental Best Prize. In his quest for more knowledge, he enrolled at the University of Ibadan for a degree in Political Science, again emerging on top of the class. After his national service, he returned to his alma mater, UI, for an MSc in Political Science in 2002, and capped it with a PhD in the same discipline in 2007. He received a Certificate in Ethnic and Racial Studies from the Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil in August, 2008. He did his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard Campus, Durban, South Africa in 2013. After his youth service at Command Secondary School, Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi, he was employed by the Ekiti State Primary Education Board (now State Universal Basic Education Board) as an Executive Officer and rose to the rank of a Senior Executive Officer before joining the University of Ado Ekiti (now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti) as an Assistant Lecturer. Fifteen years later, in year 2020, he was headhunted by the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Soremekun, to join the Federal University Oye Ekiti as a professor of political science. His research focuses largely on peace and conflict resolution, security studies, political ecology, governance, and international relations with emphasis on Nigeria,
Research Interests
Peace, Conflict and Security Studies
Democratic Governance
Political Ecology
International Politics
Qualifications
PhD (Political Science), University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2007)
MSc (Political Science), University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2002)
B.Sc. (Political Science), University of Ibadan, Nigeria (1998)
CCNY Fellow for the African Studies - Carnegie Corporation of New York (2020)
CCNY Fellow for the African Studies - Carnegie Corporation of New York (2017)
Writing Fellowship/Scholar-in-Residence - Rachel Carson Centre for Environment and Society (RCC), Ludwig-Maximillian University, Munich, Germany (2017)
Laureate of Summer University program on The Political Psychology of Populism - Central European University, Budapest, Hungary (2016)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - African Humanities Program (AHP), New York (2014)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa (2013)
Laureate of APSA African Workshop Training/Fellowship - American Political Science Association (APSA) (2012)
Laureate of Graduate Summer Training/Fellowship - Centre for Afro Asia Studies, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil (2008)
Grants
University-based Research - TETFUND (2019) - Amount: NAIRA 750,000.00
APSA Centennial Grant for Supplemental Research Support - American Political Science Association (2018) - Amount: USD 2,000.00
Individual Research Grant - African Peacebuilding Network (APN) (2017) - Amount: USD 18,000.00
African Workshop Alumni Networking grant - American Political Science Association (2014) - Amount: USD 11,000.00
Postdoctoral Research Grant - African Humanities Program (2014) - Amount: USD 14,000.00
Total Grant: USD 45,000.00
Total Grant: NAIRA 750,000.00
Scholarship
Postgraduate Scholarship Award (Ph.D. Category) - Programme on Ethnic and Federal Studies (PEFS, University of Ibadan (2003)
Postgraduate Scholarship Award (MSc Category) - Programme on Ethnic and Federal Studies (PEFS, University of Ibadan (2002)
Prizes
Departmental Prize as best graduating student in Mass Communication - The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1992)
Membership of Professional Bodies
Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) - Full Member (2005-Date)
American Political Science Association (APSA) - Full Member (2012-Date)
African Politics Conference Group (APCG) - Full Member (2012-Date)
African Peacebuilding Network (APN) - Full Member (2017-Date)
Paper Presentation - Local
Beyond the Demographic Nightmare: Harnessing Nigerian Youth Bulge for Sustainable Development - Annual Conference of Social and Management Sciences, Bamidele Olumilua University of Science, Education and Technology, Ikere (2026)
Mangrove for life”: Socio-cultural values of mangrove forests and restoration drives in Niger Delta, Nigeria - Conference on International Sustainable Development and Dialogue, held at Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria (2023)
Inter-creed relations among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria: emerging trends and challenges - 7th Professor Atanda Memorial Lecture, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye (2019)
Scapegoating democracy: democratic order and the narratives of violence in Nigeria’s fourth republic - National Conference on The Dynamics of Democratic Practice in Nigeria, 1999-2015, at Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Bayero University, Kano (2016)
The curse of a size: dwarfism and politics in south-western Nigeria - International conference on African Studies in the Twenty-First Century: Past, Present and the Future, Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (2015)
Beyond the mantra of stomach infrastructure: Ekiti politics and the sociology of voting in the 2015 general elections - National Conference on the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria: The Real Issues, at The Electoral Institute, Abuja (2015)
The 8th National Assembly and the change agenda - Round-Table Panel Discussion on the 8th National Assembly Senate Presidency: The “Change” Mantra and Quest for Effective Leadership, at the Kwara State University, Malete (2015)
See and buy: Vote buying and electoral process in Nigeria - Conference on Humanities, Conflict and Development in Africa, at the Redeemers University, Mowe, Ogun State (2014)
Fulani-Kokomba conflicts and management strategies in Gushegu, Ghana - International Conference on Democratization, Development, and Security in Africa: Options and Challenges; at University of Ilorin (2013)
Leadership-development discourse and the question of followership in Nigeria - International conference on Leadership and Governance in Africa, organized and sponsored by the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy, Lagos (2013)
Desperate guests, unwilling hosts: climate change, herders’ migration and violent conflicts in south-western Nigeria - International Conference on Climate Change and Development at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (2011)
Violent and identity formation in Nigeria: The Sayawa of north-western Nigeria - International Conference on The State, Nationalism and Politics: Challenges of Nation-building in Nigeria, at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (2010)
The changing contour of Pan Africanism thoughts and practice - International Conference on Global Africans, Pan-Africanism, Decolonization and Integration of Africa - Past, Present and Future, International Conference Centre, Abuja (2010)
Interplay of forces and the resilience of the Nigerian state - Conference on Nigeria at 50, Excellence Hotel, Ogba Ikeja, Lagos (2010)
Cultural diplomacy - Conference on Repositioning the Nigerian Cultural Worker for Better Service Delivery at Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo state (2010)
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency as an Exceptional Case - Roundtable on Pockets of Effectiveness in Nigeria: Exceptional Public Organizations and Democratic Change at the Eko Tourist Resort, Akodo, Lagos (2009)
Yoruba nationalism and the myth of origin - Conference on Migration and Settlement Patterns in Yorubaland, at the Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2009)
Interfaith mediation Centre and the Kaduna peace process - Conference on Peace Process in West Africa, at the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin (2009)
The Military in Democratization - Conference on Reflections on a Decade of Democratization in Nigeria, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos (2009)
Seeking pies in the sky: Nigeria’s vision 2020 and envisioning dilemma - Conference on Nigeria: Towards Consolidation and Stability at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos (2009)
At each other’s’ jugular veins: inter-group violence and bloodbath at Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi state, Nigeria - Workshop on Conflict and Violence in West Africa, by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan (2007)
From instant rejection to subtle acceptance: International responses to the 2007 general elections in Nigeria - Conference on Contending Issues in Nigeria’s Election Processes: The 2007 General Elections at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja (2007)
External Pressures, Socio-Economic Reforms and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria - Annual Conference of the Nigeria Political Science Association at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria (2007)
Culture and underdevelopment in Nigeria - National Conference on Nigeria in the Twenty-First Century: Issues and Challenges at the Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (2007)
Political skepticism and democratic consolidation in Nigeria - Conference on Nigeria’s Democratic Development, 1999-2007: Trends, Problems, Challenges and Prospects, at the Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya House, Bayero University, Kano, (2007)
From Accommodation to Discrimination and Exclusion: The changing Contour of Inter-Group Relations in Africa - Conference on The Dynamics of Inter Group Relations in Nigeria Since1960, at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (2006)
Paper Presentation - International
Walking a Tight Rope: ECOWAS Responses to Democratic Reversals in West Africa - The American Political Science Association Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, USA (2024)
Nigeria’s Twitter ban and discourses on social media and national security - The American Political Science Association Meeting, Los Angeles, USA (2023)
Fighting from the global space: Nigerian diaspora, social media, and the struggle for good governance - Virtual conference on Farooq Kperogi, The Digital Age and the US-African Diaspora Diplomacy, Pretoria (2023)
Nigeria’s anti-terror war and the rhetoric of US arms embargo - 65th Meeting of the Africa Studies Association (ASA), in Philadelphia, PA, USA (2022)
Hiding under COVID 19: State actors and lockdown enforcement excesses in Nigeria. - 63rd African Studies Association’s Virtual Annual Meeting (2020)
Adding fuel to the fire: Fake news and farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria - 63rd African Studies Association’s Virtual Annual Meeting (2020)
The Ekiti State social security scheme and the limits of ‘too meagerly’ narrative in Nigeria - International Conference for Research on African Challenges (ICRAC), at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Cairo, Egypt (2019)
Less-governed spaces of the Sahel and the trajectories of Boko Haram Insurgency - Conference on the Challenges of Governing in North Africa and the Sahel at Conference Room of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, DC (2018)
Multinational Joint Task Force and the war against Boko Haram insurgency - Conference on Space, Borders, Conflict and Insecurity in West Africa at the Ecole de Maintien de la Paix (EMP), Bamako, Mali (2018)
Ethnic militia formation and peacebuilding challenges in oil bearing communities of Ondo State, Nigeria - 4th Dubai International Conferences on Social Sciences and Humanities, Dubai (2018)
Resource redistribution strategies and peacebuilding process in Niger Delta - 60th Meeting of the Africa Studies Association (ASA), in Chicago, USA (2017)
Innovative anti-corruption measures and institution building in Nigeria - 60th Meeting of the Africa Studies Association (ASA), in Chicago, USA (2017)
Nigeria’s 2015 general elections and the limits of bad party-good candidate narratives - Summer School Training/Workshop on the Political Psychology of Populism at Central European University, Budapest, Hungary (2016)
Rebellious sons, grieving fathers: tempestuous godfather-godson relations and violent conflicts in Nigeria - International conference on Between Democracy and Big Man Politics: The Micro-level Dynamics of Electoral Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, Uppsala, Sweden (2015)
The Lebanese community of Ibadan: A portrait of intra-peripheral interaction. - AEGIS Thematic Conference on Africa in the Global South: Biographies of Mobility and Aspirations of Success, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany (2014)
Beyond the narratives of disaster: Africa’s youth bulge and the prospect of demographic dividends - Advanced and Intensive Methodological Training Workshop and Conference on Political Economy at Boma Inn, Nairobi Kenya (2014)
Africa’s great green wall project and the challenges of history - International conference on OAU/AU at 50 and Beyond: The Quests for African Solution for African Problems (ASAP), University of Tshwane, Pretoria, South Africa (2014)
Nigerian Diaspora, social media and the challenges of sustainable governance - International conference on Africa and the Diaspora in the New Millennium, the University of Missouri, St. Louis, USA (2012)
Panel of the wise and the future of conflict resolution in Africa - International conference on Second Scrabble for Africa at Africa, University of Tshwane, Pretoria, South Africa (2012)
Tax and Zakat: An examination of religious taxation in Nigeria - International conference on Politics, Poverty and Prayer: Global African Spiritualities and Social Transformation, at the African International University, Nairobi, Kenya (2010)
Unorthodox peacemakers and responses in Africa - International Conference on The Involvement of the Private Security Sector in African Conflicts, Peacekeeping Missions and Humanitarian Assistance Operations, Nairobi, Kenya (2010)
Proxy border wars and management strategies in Darfur and Mano River regions of Africa - Experts Roundtable on Proxy Border Conflicts and their Impact on Peace Processes in Africa, Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Prevention, Accra, Ghana (2010)
The demographic nightmare: population boom and security challenges in Africa - Experts Roundtable on the State of the Union 2030: Security Threats and Responses, Speke Hotel (Munyonyo Resort), Kampala, Uganda (2009)
Emergent religious elites and socio-economic development in Nigeria - International conference on The Role of Elites in Economic Development, Helsinki, Finland (2009)
Standing History on its Head: Deconstructing Africa’s Encounter with the Fourth Epoch - International conference on Teaching and Propagating Africa’s History to the Diaspora and Teaching and Propagating Diaspora History to Africa at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2008)
Ethnic militancy as a redistributive mechanism in Nigeria’s federal system - International Workshop on Citizenship, Human Rights and Identity Formation at Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil (2008)
The Spiritual Foundations of Africa’s Underdevelopment and the Imperative of Cultural Revitalization - International Colloquium on Global African Spirituality, Social Capital and Self-Reliance in Africa (2007)
Postgraduate Ph.D Supervision
Bello, Fatai Folaranmi - Nuclear regulation and management in Nigeria: A study of the Nigeria Nuclear Regulation Agency (2020)
Bello, Akeem Olalekan - Terrorism and the security of cultural heritage in Timbuktu, Mali (2025)
Jamiu, Hakeem Ayodeji - The security implications of Ekiti State House of Assembly crisis, 2010-2022 (2025)
Olusola Seyi - Local government and service delivery in Ekiti State, 1999-2024 (2025)
Postgraduate M.Sc Supervision
Bello, Akeem Olalekan - Commercial drivers and violent conflict in Ado, Ekiti, Nigeria (2017)
Bamisile, Nureni Adeyemi - Movement for the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and national security in Nigeria. (2019)
Oguntoyinbo, Adene, Yemi - Widowhood inheritance and conflict in southwestern Nigeria: Case study of Ilaje people of Ondo State (2019)
Ilemikun, Abiodun - National Union of Road Transport Workers and Security Challenges in Lagos, State, Nigeria (2020)
Adebayo Olutayo Adeola - Peace ecology and insecurity in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria (2025)
Abiodun, Shalewa - Gender representation in the administrative cadre of Ekiti State Civil Service (2026)
Course Teaching
POL 405 - The Nigerian Foreign Policy (2024/2025)
POL 804 & POL 904 - Academic and Seminar Writing (2024/2025)
POL 805 - The Nigerian Foreign Policy (2024/2025)
MAC 703 $ MAC 805 - Research Methods in Mass Communication (2024/2025)
Custom Fields
Member of Governing Council: Summit University, Offa, Kwara State, 2025-Date
Vice Chair: African Politics Conference Group (APCG), 2021-2023
Chairman,: Committee on Drafting of Ekiti State Youth Policy, Ministry of Youth Development, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, 2024-2025
Chairman, publicity subcommittee: Ansar-Ud-Deen Society at 75 Anniversary in Ekiti State, 2025
National President: Ogotun Development Union, 2024-Date
Chairman, Caretaker Committee: Ekiti South West Local Government, Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State, 2010-2012
Member of Education Committee: Muslim Ummah of Southwestern Nigeria (MUSWEN), 2021-Date
Chairman Publicity Committee: Coronation Ceremony of Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, 2023
Member of subcommittee: African Studies Review Best Africa-Focused Dissertation Prize, 2023
Member of Board of Trustees: Ogotun Hall of Fame, 2025-Date
Guest Editor: Kujenga Amani Special Edition for Nigeria 2019 General Election
Guest Editor: Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict Transformation, 2015
Guest Editor: African Renaissance, 2016
Editor-in-Chief: Studies in Social Sciences, 2023-2025
Facilitator: Meeting of ECOWAS Directors and Heads of Institutions to review the compact of the future of regional integration in West Africa, Accra, Ghana, 6th - 8th May, 2026
Facilitator: ECOWAS Regional Consultative Meeting on the “Future of Trade, Economic Integration and Sustainable Development in West Africa” in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 2nd – 6th March, 2026
Facilitator: High-Level Reflections Conference on “The Future of Democratic Governance, Constitutional Order and Good Governance in West Africa”, organized by ECOWAS Commission in Accra, Ghana, on 24-26 September, 2025
Chair: Panel on Democracy in West Africa at the American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia Convention Centre, Philadelphia, PA, 07 September, 2024
Lead Discussant/Reviewer: Virtual Book Launch - Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants in Africa, organized by the African Peacebuilding Network, New York, 25 March, 2024
Lead Discussant: African Research Development Group (RDG), at the American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting held at Los Angeles Convention Centre, Los Angeles, CA, 29-30 August, 2023
Co-panelist: International Conference on Leadership and Governance for Sustainable Development and Wealth Creation, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, 19 October, 2023
Co-leader: Dissertation Workshop on Political Violence, a short course/training programme for advanced doctoral students at the American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada, 14 -17 September, 2022
Lead Facilitator: African Research Development Group (RDG) short course/training programme for emerging African Scholars at the American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, 29 September – 03 October, 2021
Co-panelist: International Colloquium on The Challenges of Governing North Africa and the Sahel, sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), Washington, DC, 8 May, 2018
Photo Gallery / Picture Evidence
Presentation at a Conference in DubaiFieldwork at Ondo Coastal Area, 2017Fieldwork at Ondo Coastal Area, 2017Conference at UNU-WIDER, Helsinki, 2009