The Speakers' Bureau

African scholarship,
in conversation.

Speakers are available for all your functions — keynotes, commencements, graduations, university faculty, dissertation committees, and subject-matter expertise. Public, motivational, inspirational, and campaign engagements welcome.

How to Engage

A direct route to the institute's voices

IIAS speakers serve at the invitation of universities, foundations, government bodies, and civil society organizations. The Bureau handles introductions, scheduling, and honoraria; host institutions provide venue and logistical support.

01

Keynote Address

For conferences, convocations, annual meetings, and major gatherings. Forty-five to sixty minutes, prepared on a topic of mutual interest, with Q&A.

02

Panel & Roundtable

For symposia, working groups, and policy convenings. Our scholars are equally at home as panelists, moderators, or discussants.

03

Classroom Visit

For graduate seminars and undergraduate courses on African studies, public health, comparative politics, and adjacent fields. In person or by video link.

04

Policy Briefing

For ministries, foundations, and donor organizations. A focused, evidence-based briefing on a specific question — usually thirty to sixty minutes, with written follow-up.

Current Roster

Forty-plus voices, available worldwide

A representative sample. The complete current roster — including affiliations, areas of expertise, and recent speaking engagements — is available on request.

  • 01 Dr. Geraldine Abaidoo
  • 02 Engr. Humphrey Okereke
  • 03 Dr. Christopher Okonkwo
  • 04 Mrs. Debra Dixon-Kinzer
  • 05 Dr. Victor Oluwi
  • 06 Pastor Chinwe Nnorom
  • 07 Dr. Chima Nwosu
  • 08 Dr. Edward Agbai
  • 09 Dr. Joyce Dadzie
  • 10 Dr. Folly Somado-Hemazro
  • 11 Dr. Veronica Robinson
  • 12 Dr. Femi Obikunle
  • 13 Dr. Oluwatoyin Akindoju
  • 14 Barrister Ogechi Agbai
  • 15 Prof. Emmanuel Umana
  • 16 Dr. Josephine Oparaocha
  • 17 Dr. Obinna Oleribe
  • 18 Dr. Kingson Njoku
  • 19 Dr. Ngozi Okechukwu
  • 20 Dr. Warrick Ekwueme
  • 21 Dr. Joy Smith-Durant
  • 22 Dr. Francisca Obiora-Ike
  • 23 Dr. Joel Nwoke
  • 24 Dr. Hope Ifeadi
  • 25 Dr. Fabian Aniemene
  • 26 Dr. Nnenna Nwakanma
  • 27 Dr. Faustina Igwebuike
  • 28 Dr. Anastasia Ashi
  • 29 Dr. Yemisi Olorunshola
  • 30 Dr. Jennifer Boyd
  • 31 Dr. Alozie Ogbonna
  • 32 Dr. Efrem Warren
  • 33 Dr. Cheryldene Cook Chavis
  • 34 Dr. Kenneth Klutse
  • 35 Dr. Monica Peremine
  • 36 Dr. Austin Onyeama
  • 37 Dr. Frank Agodi
  • 38 Dr. Peter W. Sherrill
  • 39 Barrister Chinenye Atuma
  • 40 Dr. Strange Gene
  • 41 Dr. Joseph Emerenini
  • 42 Dr. Mike Nwosu
  • 43 Dr. Bolutife Oluwadele
  • 44 Dr. Marytherese Agwara
  • 45 Dr. Christian Ehiobuche
  • 46 Dr. Ifeoma Ana
  • 47 Gilbert Musonda
  • 48 Mr. Henry Ukazu

And additional speakers in continental rotation. The Bureau is updated quarterly as new fellows are inducted and existing members' areas of focus shift.

Topic Areas

Where our speakers do their work

Governance & Constitutional Thought

Constitutional design, federalism, electoral systems, customary versus statutory law, post-colonial institutional reform.

Public Health Systems

Continental health systems strengthening, workforce retention, pandemic preparedness, maternal and child health, drug manufacturing capacity.

Functional Education

Curriculum decolonization, mother-tongue instruction, doctoral pedagogy, vocational training, continental quality assurance.

Food Sovereignty & Agriculture

Smallholder cooperatives, land tenure, climate-adapted seed systems, continental food policy, agrarian futures.

Diaspora & Return

Skills mobility frameworks, pan-African research networks, the politics of return, remittance economies, Africanization in practice.

Law, Rights & Justice

Human rights frameworks, transitional justice, anti-corruption, the African Court, women and girls in African legal systems.

Logistics

What hosts should know

Notice required
Six weeks for in-person engagements; two weeks for virtual.
Honoraria
Negotiated case-by-case. Reduced rates for African universities, civil society organizations, and student-led events.
Travel
Host covers travel and lodging for in-person engagements. Most speakers are based in West Africa, North America, or Europe.
Format flexibility
In person, by video link, or hybrid. We are open to formats that serve the host's audience and constraints.
Materials
Speaker biographies, photographs, and pre-event communications are handled by the Bureau on the host's behalf.

Request a Speaker

Tell us about the engagement.

Write to the Convening Secretary with the date, format, audience, and topic. We respond within five working days with a shortlist of available speakers and indicative honoraria.

Email the Bureau Use Contact Form