Former Edo Governor Obaseki Appointed Visiting Researcher at Boston University

Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has been appointed Visiting Scholar and Researcher at the African Studies Center of Boston University in the United States.

The African Studies Center, which operates under the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, is one of America’s leading institutions dedicated to African research, policy studies and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Obaseki, who governed Edo State from 2016 to 2024, is expected to use the academic fellowship to examine the successes, policy innovations and challenges encountered during his administration, particularly in public sector reforms, digital governance and education transformation.

According to the institution, the research engagement will also provide a platform for the former governor to develop policy frameworks and practical lessons capable of guiding public servants and reform-minded leaders across Africa.

During his tenure as governor, Obaseki gained national and international recognition for reforms in governance and education, especially through the EdoBEST programme, a technology-driven basic education initiative designed to improve learning outcomes in public schools.

Speaking on the appointment, Director of the African Studies Center and Walter G. Muelder Professor of Social Ethics, Nimi Wariboko, described the former governor’s presence at the institution as significant to both the academic community and broader African policy discourse.

Wariboko said the university looked forward to hosting Obaseki as an active participant in scholarly engagements aimed at refining his policy frameworks and documenting his experience in governance.

According to him, the former governor’s research output, expected to culminate in a book manuscript, would contribute meaningfully to academic scholarship on African political economy, governance and development.

He further noted that Obaseki’s appointment revives the center’s longstanding tradition of hosting distinguished African public leaders willing to share practical governance experiences with scholars and students.

Reacting to the appointment, Obaseki expressed appreciation to the university, describing the opportunity as a privilege to engage with a globally respected academic institution.

The former governor said the fellowship would allow him to reflect on and document the strategies, policies and governance models deployed during his administration in Edo State.

He added that the academic environment at Boston University would provide opportunities for collaboration, learning and exchange of ideas on tackling development challenges facing African economies.

Also commenting on the development, Dean of the Pardee School of Global Studies, Scott Taylor, said the institution was honoured to host Obaseki and support research efforts focused on African development and public-sector leadership.

Founded in 1953, the African Studies Center at Boston University is among the oldest and most respected African research institutions in the United States. The center has evolved into a major hub for research, policy dialogue and scholarship on Africa and is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Title VI National Resource Center.