UNBOXED: A JOURNEY THROUGH LABYRINTHS AND MAZES

Following receipt of fully-funded scholarships from the two most prestigious universities in the world: The University of Oxford and The University of Edinburgh, I am delighted to share that I have commenced my PhD Program at the Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Dr Maggie Dwyer and Dr Jean-Benoît Falisse. Glory be to God!

I have dreamt of this moment since I was a teenager in Christ’s School, but I needed to demonstrate exceptional commitment, factual relevance, and courage to earn my place. During this second application cycle, I applied to 5 PhD and 3 MSc programs and received 7 acceptances and 2 full Scholarships.

The most rewarding part of the past four years was coming to terms with the power in relevance. Here, I am referring to factual, not cosmetic relevance. I would like to posit that relevance is critical to the aspiration to attain any position. To me, it is the composite of intellectual and experiential offerings in relation to a specific field. It may also be viewed from three perspectives; Past, Current and Strategic.

Using my journey as an example may provide more insight. I wanted a seat at the table to drive open governance and development, but I had to first create the requisite relevance to justify that position. First, my reportage at Nigerian Television Authority focused on addressing citizenry apathy in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Second, I ventured into community outreach with Reformers Of Africa, a pan-African civic-tech organisation to build a social accountability project- ‘Citizens Watch’ to help citizens track government promises. In 2018, I transited from advocacy to politics with the intent to engage and get involved in the public square. As soon as the 2018 Ekiti gubernatorial election ended and I was retained to work with the new government, the relevance that got me through the door had become past.

I needed to show that I would be relevant and demonstrate my weapons of values and ideological convictions to the Governor, the First Lady and the people of Ekiti state. I can say without fear that Dr John Kayode Fayemi, PhD. is the most cerebral and methodical governor in our nation so the task of proving my relevance was going to be tough. Through sheer force of intellect, tenacity of purpose, and deep passion for progressive change, I was appointed Special Assistant on Digital Communications to the Governor within 3 years (at the age of 24). Again, at this stage, my work had slipped into the Past Relevance category. 

Remaining relevant in my role meant I had to scale up my skills, knowledge, and productivity. Thinking swiftly on my feet and smartly proffering solutions to spontaneous issues became necessary. Sourcing, aggregating, and parsing information and data and then presenting it to our target audience in easily digestible form were critical. To thrive, it was important for me to remain true to myself, my purpose, and my convictions without fear of being seen as a geek or outsider, socially awkward, weird, different, or odd one out, among others. 

To further my goals to be relevant in future engagement in the public sector, I needed to improve my expertise and expand the space I occupy. In 2021, I obtained M.A African Studies (Diaspora and Transnational Studies) with the highest Distinction in my department and I was awarded the best graduating student and best thesis at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan — one of the most prestigious universities in Africa. Additionally, I beat a strong shortlist of 10 others from universities in Europe, Asia, and other African countries to emerge as one of the 2 winners of the Global Border Criminologies Masters’ Thesis Prize Award organised by Routledge and Oxford University’s Centre for Criminology.

Having scaled up my knowledge, I worked with and published my research at relevant policy institutions such as Oxford University’s Centre for Migration, Policy and Society; Global Research Network’s (GRN) Think Tank Programme on War, Conflict and Global Migration; Palgrave Macmillan; French Institute for Research in Nigeria; Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai; Oxford Migration Studies Society; Oxford Monitor of Forced Migration; amongst others on migration and development. 

Although these might not have been useful while in government, the expertise and relevance have now secured me PhD funding from the Graduate School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh through which I can further my aspirations and work with international development agencies to find pragmatic solutions that will move Africa forward. My PhD thesis will examine the idea of the impermanence to marginality or precarity, and lack thereof, and post-refugee status resistance and power struggle in host communities (using ‘residual’ Liberian refugees in Nigeria and Ghana as a case study). 

This accomplishment is for my parents, Pastor and Mrs Eben Durodola and Dr. Ed Olowo-Okere, and my wife, Ada-Tosin Durodola for their unwavering commitment, sacrifice and support for decades. I wouldn’t have been able to apply to these programs without the recommendation letters from (my MA Thesis Supervisor, Dr. Senayon Olaoluwa; my mentor, H.E Dr. Kayode Fayemi; IAS Director, Dr. Seun Olutayo; and Mr Ayomide Alao), and the worthwhile counsel and guidance (from Mr Egghead Odewale and Dr Olly Owen). I am grateful to H.E Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Feyi Ijimakinwa and Obasola Bamigbola for supporting my MSc research fieldwork. To my late friend and brother colleague, Ugo Richard Anyah, I eventually got the funding and I wish you were alive to witness this and more. Continue to Rest in Peace.

My journey has demonstrated that people can choose to be not ordinary or necessarily fit in or conform. So yes, I think ordinary people seeking factual relevance can choose to be extraordinary. Factual relevance doesn’t change the world from within by fitting in or conforming. It changes the world by creating a new one. So when critics say you can’t do this, your answer to them should be — we have done it. That’s what factual relevance does!

I am grateful to the Chief of Staff, Mr Tolu Ibitola for being a pillar of support during my public service duty in Ekiti state; as well as Mr Yinka Oyebode, Mrs Sola Ajulo, Mr Akintunde Oyebode, and Mr Akin Rotimi. God bless you.

Again, at this stage, my work has slipped into the Past Relevance category. I'm not that smart, what you see is the FINGER OF GOD! Words of Men CANNOT decide Destiny. A New Chapter Begins. To God be the Glory. Great things He has done.

#ivyleague #gradschool #phd

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