Professor Receives Visiting Scholar Appointment at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Professor Remi Alapo, Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at York College, CUNY, has been appointed Visiting Scholar at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Professor Remi Alapo, Adjunct Assistant Professor of History at York College, CUNY, has been appointed Visiting Scholar at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Professor Alapo describes the appointment as a continuation of her commitment to advancing international academic collaboration and global Black Studies. During her visit, she engaged in collaborative teaching, delivered seminars, and explored new research opportunities—both in person and through digital platforms.

She explained that the trip was designed to support several core goals of higher education: innovation, applied learning, diversity, equity, and global partnerships. Her priorities included:

1. Building cross-continental partnerships
2. Strengthening York College’s History Department’s global engagement

As part of the exchange, Professor Alapo held formal meetings with faculty at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (History), OAU (Sociology), and the University of Ilorin (Center for Peace and Strategic Studies). With approval from each department, discussions began on institutional collaborations with York College and CUNY, including faculty exchanges, joint research, and shared programming.

Her fieldwork has opened new opportunities for York’s History Department, such as collaborative research initiatives, co-authored publications, conference presentations, and guest lectures -- all of which will enhance the college’s global visibility and strengthen its commitment.

UNILORIN Scholars Visit York College

In February 2025, two visiting scholars from UNILORIN—an institution Professor Alapo visited during her fieldwork—served as guest speakers in her Cultural Diversity (CLDV 100) courses. They also joined a planning meeting with the Africana Resource Center Consortium at York College.

Attendees included: Professor George White, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; Professor Patricia Haggler, chair, Department of History, Philosophy and Anthropology; Professor Michael Sharpe, coordinator of Political Science; Professor Kinyatti Njoki, Chief Librarian and Professor Remi Alapo, adjunct assistant professor, History.

Following the meeting, participants formed a York/Africana collaborative working group to pursue CUNY-wide partnerships with African institutions. A faculty chat group was also created to sustain dialogue and design future projects, including joint research and teaching exchanges.

International Research Presentation

On July 7–8, 2025, Professor Alapo co-presented with her UNILORIN colleague, John Onigbinde of the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, at the International Conference on African Migration, Human Migration, and Policy. The virtual conference, hosted by the Centro de Estudos Africanos at the Universidade do Porto in Portugal, focused on The Rabat Process – Measuring Migration, Progress, and Prosperity.

Their presentation, Human Migration Linkages in Research and Policy: Collaboration, Cordiality, and Cooperation, is being developed into a co-authored academic publication scheduled for release in 2026.

In recognition of her leadership and international contributions, Professor Alapo has now been invited to serve as a board member and trustee of the Africana Resources Center and Black Studies Program at York College beginning Fall 2025. In this role, she will help revitalize the Center, strengthen African institutional partnerships, and expand faculty exchange opportunities.

Reflecting on her appointment, Professor Alapo said, “This opportunity allows me to bring York College into deeper dialogue with African institutions while equipping our students with the skills and perspectives they need to thrive in a connected world.”

This initiative was supported by York College’s Department of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, and Interdisciplinary Studies, along with a small grant from the CUNY PSC Adjunct Professional Development Fund.

^{Dr. Remi Alapo at OAU}

^{Dr. Remi Alapo at UNILORIN}

^{Dr. Remi Alapo with OAU Faculty: L to R - Dr Damilare Agbabiaka, Dr Kamil Gazal, Dr Adebusuyi Adeniran (Chair, Sociology and Anthropology), and Dr James Ayodele.}

^{Dr. Remi Alapo at LAUTECH History Dept and the Institute of African Studies: L to R: Dr . A. A. Oladiti, Chair - History Dept., Dr A. Tijani (former Chair, History Dept), Dr. Onipede Kayode, Director Institute of African Studies, Dr (Mrs) Olalere, and Dr Oyewole}

^{Meet and Greet at York: L to R - Dr Remi Alapo, Dr Michael Sharpe, Dr George White, Dr Kinyatti Njoki, Dr Pat Haggler, and Prof John Onigbinde (UNILORIN).}