From London to Achina: Reflections on a Transcontinental Academic Journey

My academic journey has taken me from the classrooms of Urban University Rome to the lecture halls of the University of London, from the seminaries of Nigeria to the universities of the United Kingdom and the United States. Along the way, I have learned lessons that I believe are worth sharing with fellow academics, particularly those navigating the complex terrain of working across continents and cultures.

My first lesson is that academic excellence is not geographically determined. I have encountered brilliant minds in every institution I have been privileged to serve, from small seminaries in rural Nigeria to prestigious universities in global cities. The quality of a scholar is determined not by the prestige of their institution but by the rigor of their thinking and the relevance of their contributions.

This lesson is particularly important for African academics who may suffer from impostor syndrome when competing with colleagues from Western institutions. Do not let the colonial mentality diminish your confidence. Your perspective is valuable precisely because it is different. The global academy needs African voices, African questions, and African solutions.

My second lesson is that relevance matters more than prestige. It is tempting to pursue research topics that are fashionable in Western academia, to publish in journals that are highly ranked but rarely read in Africa, and to attend conferences in exotic locations that have little connection to our continent's challenges. I have made these choices at times, and I have regretted them.

The research that has given me the most satisfaction is the research that addresses real problems facing African communities. My work on Cooperative Collegial Democracy, IQUISM, and educational decolonization may not be the most cited in global databases, but it has sparked conversations, influenced policies, and empowered students. That, I believe, is the true measure of academic impact.

My third lesson is that community matters more than career. Academia can be a lonely and competitive profession, with scholars competing for limited resources and recognition. But I have found that collaboration produces better outcomes than competition. The best papers I have written have been co-authored with colleagues who challenged and complemented my thinking. The best conferences I have attended have been those where genuine dialogue occurred, not just paper presentations.

My current role as Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Social and Management Sciences at Peter University, Achina, allows me to put these lessons into practice. I work alongside colleagues who share my commitment to academic excellence, community relevance, and collaborative scholarship. Together, we are building an institution that serves the needs of our students and our community.

To young African academics beginning their journeys, I offer this advice: pursue excellence, but do not lose sight of relevance. Build your career, but do not neglect your community. Engage with global scholarship, but never forget that you have something unique to contribute. The academy needs you, and Africa needs you.