Dr. Joyce Onoromhenre Agofure, a Senior Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has been honored with the “Most Cited Scholar of the Year” award for her outstanding research contributions and global academic impact.
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, will recognize 123 distinguished members of staff for their exceptional contributions to academia and institutional growth at an award ceremony on Thursday, January 30, 2025. The event, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kabiru Bala, will take place at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall on the university’s main campus in Samaru at 2:30 p.m.
Among the honorees, Dr. Joyce Onoromhenre Agofure will receive the prestigious “Most Cited Scholar of the Year” Award, recognizing her outstanding research impact and scholarly influence both within ABU and on the global academic stage.
Dr. Agofure is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of English and Literary Studies (Literature Section), Faculty of Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Over the years, she has held key academic positions, including serving as Postgraduate Coordinator, and has been instrumental in mentoring young scholars.
Her academic excellence has earned her several prestigious fellowships and awards, including:
• Fulbright Foreign Student Researcher Fellowship at the University of Idaho, USA
• American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) African Humanities Program Postdoctoral Fellowship
• ACLS-Funded Postdoctoral Research Residency at Rhodes University, South Africa
• Social Science Research Council/African Peacebuilding Network Individual Research Fellowship (APN IRF)
• African Humanities Program Mentoring and Application-Preparation Workshop Grant
She has also participated in high-profile international research workshops, including:
• APN and Next Gen Research Methods Workshop (Casablanca, Morocco)
• APN and Next Gen Dissemination & Writing Workshop (Accra, Ghana)
• APN/Next Gen Panel Support for the 2023 African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA) Conference (Lubumbashi, DRC)
• Aftermath of Slavery in East Africa (ASEA) Grant for the 2023 Tanzania Conference on Slavery and Post-Slavery at the University of Dar es Salaam
• Grant Awardee and Convener at the 9th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS 2023) at the University of Cologne, Germany
Dr. Agofure’s research focuses on Environmental Humanities , Postcolonial Studies, Gender Discourse, and African Peacebuilding. Her work has significantly contributed to these fields through extensive publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, engaging with critical socio-political, environmental, and gender issues on both national and international levels.
With a deep commitment to advancing knowledge, Dr. Agofure continues to push the boundaries of research and mentorship, fostering academic growth within and beyond ABU. Her recognition as the Most Cited Scholar of the Year highlights not only her scholarly achievements but also her lasting impact on the academic community.