The Award Committee of the Africa Annual Events and the University of Texas at Austin has voted to confer on a renowned Nigerian Professor of International Relations, Babafemi Badejo the 2025 Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist Award.
Nelson Mandela Distinguished Africanist Award is awarded to an African who has distinguished him/herself in public leadership positions. The Award is a lifetime achievement recognition conferred on an African with a lifetime commitment to the advancement of the study of Africa and/or a lifetime of commitment to service for its people.
The awardee must be known for promotion of freedom and rights for Africans both at the national and international levels. He/she must have shown resilience, courage and determination in the pursuit of African liberation. This year, this distinguished award goes to Professor Babafemi Badejo according to the jury who are of international repute.
Babafemi Badejo, a Political Scientist and Lawyer hails from Nigeria. Badejo, prior to his role as Head of Political Affairs at the UN Mission in Liberia, had served as Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia.
He played primary role in the design, negotiation and implementation of the Djibouti Initiative that set up national governance structures for Somalia after decade of civil strife.
He also organised and participated in peace accord negotiations among Somali leaders that resulted in the Nairobi Declaration of March 1994.
He has recently published a biography of Raila Odinga, a foremost politician in Kenya. Described as "an excellent introduction for the uninitiated to the complex landscape of Kenyan politics" by Dr. Jeremy Matam Farrall, University of Tasmania, Australia.
Currently , he is a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chrisland University in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. His current role involves teaching and research, focusing on political science and international relations.
Babafemi Badejo is a Nigerian academic, writer, and diplomat with a distinguished career in political science, law, and international relations.
Prior to.this time, he was Head of Political Science, University of Lagos, where he began his academic career and served as a lecturer, senior lecturer, and eventually, head of the political science department.
Responding in his acceptance speech, Professor Badejo said receiving the honour naturally brings to mind a moment that remains one of the most defining encounters of his career- the day he met Nelson Mandela.
He recalled :" It was in 1991 and as a young scholar. I was part of the Nigerian delegation to South Africa to consult with the ANC and National Party leaders as to what Nigerians could do to assist on the challenges they face as they negotiate a new constitution for SouthAfricaa. "
The delegation as he said was led by Olusegun Obasanjo as Secretary.
While releaving the rear moment that he met with the African.and world icon who out of humility shared the same toilets with visitors, Professor Badejo said" Nelson Mandela's legacies remains a challenge to all of us who seek to make a difference in Africa- whether through Schorlarship, Public Service, diplomacy, policy or activism."
Professor Badejo however, while thanking those who supported him in making the accomplishment said:"No schorlar, no leader walks this journey alone. I have been fortunate to learn from and work alongside brilliant mentors, colleagues and students whose insights and commitments have shaped my work. The collaborations have strengthened my resolve to contribute to a more just and prosperous Africa."
He did not however end his acceptance speech without commenting on the issue of Africa's development by saying that the bane of Africa remains leadership deficit in an unfriendly world environment that envied the huge natural resources that Africa harbours,while again calling on African leaders to brace up for the challenges of having a regenerate African nation.
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