Professional Affiliation

Professor of Political Science, Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, National Open University of Nigeria

Expert Bio

Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko is Professor of Political Science, Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, National Open University of Nigeria. A seasoned researcher with years of broad-based experience in the fields of Conflict Resolution, Conflict Management, Security, Mediation, Peacebuilding, and Gender, Angela is the author of more than 20 books and over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She is the founding Head of Department, and Editor-in-Chief Lafia Journal of Contemporary Political Studies, Department of Political Science Federal University of Lafia. Angela is an editorial member of Athens Institute for Education and Research, Greece, and a reviewer for several international academic journals. She is the recipient of several grants including IPRA Research Grant in 2023. Angela is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer 'Adela Foundation for Women's Rights and Development' an organisation founded in 2023 to create awareness on women's socio-political, and economic rights.

Expertise

• Africa
• Nigeria

Wilson Center Project

Voice for the Vulnerable: The Women Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in North-Eastern Nigeria

Project Summary

This project is on the women preventing and countering violent extremism in North-Eastern Nigeria, a predominantly Muslim society where women are seen but not heard. The study goes beyond the narrow view of women as victims of violence, to shed light on their roles as peacemakers. Drawing on key informant interviews and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders, the book reveals the gender-nonconforming roles of women as intelligence providers, knowledge brokers, negotiators, mediators and peace brokers--and how these roles are helping to change violent extremist narratives, and delegitimize it. The study argues for a more comprehensive multi-stakeholder approach in dealing with the problem of violent extremism in the North-Eastern region. It therefore recommends a whole society approach in which women are equal partners in P/CVE decision-making.

Major Publications

• Ajodo-Adebanjoko, A. (2022). Beyond Perpetrators:Exploring the Youth-Peace Nexus in Countering Violent Extremism in Sub-Saharan Africa, African Journal on Terrorism, Vol. 12, No. 1 December 2022
• Ajodo-Adebanjoko, A. (2021). Women’s role in countering violent extremism in Northeast Nigeria, African Journal on Terrorism, Vol 11, No. 2 December 2021, caert.org.dz or google scholar
• Ajodo-Adebanjoko, A. (2020). The Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency in the Northeast on Women and Girls, Journal of Behavioral and Social Sciences 2020, Vol. 7, Issue 2, 69-80, http://www.jbssjournal.org/abstracts/volume-7-issue-2