Book Panels at LSA 2025: Full Schedule
From African literature, film, political science, religion and history, to diaspora, digital culture, visual art, and urban, gender, and feminist studies, our twenty-two book panels will celebrate the achievements of scholars, while also engaging with ideas in all their divergent manifestations.
The LSA shoulders the heavy weight of organizing book roundtables for the authors to achieve a multiplicity of goals—all connected to intellectual community building, addressing the divide among the numerous constituencies and architecture of knowledge production in African studies scattered the world, facilitating healthy inter-generational conversation and building the capacity of up-and-coming scholars to acquire the skill to achieve excellence in their chosen fields.
As a compact body of knowledge, books, whether monographs or edited volumes, offer a great opportunity to monitor the growth of fields and enhance the participation of scholars in important debates. This partly explains why book roundtables are among the LSA’s flagship projects. They have yielded significant results and justified all the labor put into organizing them year in and year out.
All the over 200 sessions of LSA, including the book panels, will be accessible, free of charge, to all audience attending physically at the University of Lagos and virtually across the world. Book panels will be held between June 19 and 21. So, feel free to invite your constituencies. Zoom links will be available in early June.
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Adebanwi, Wale. How to Become a Big Man in Africa: Subalternity, Elites, and Ethnic Politics in Contemporary Nigeria (Indiana University Press, 2024)
Chair
Peyi Soyinka-Airewele (Ithaca College)
Discussants
Olubukola Adesina (University of Ibadan)
Damilola Agbalajobi (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Carl LeVan (American University, Washington)
Moses Ochonu (Vanderbilt University)
Jeffrey Paller (University of San Francisco)
Author/Respondent
Wale Adebanwi (University of Pennsylvania)
Book available, online: https://iupress.org/9780253070364/how-to-become-a-big-man-in-africa/
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Adesola, Ademola. Representations of Child Soldiers in Contemporary African Narratives (Lexington Books, 2024)
Chair
Olusegun Adekoya (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Discussants
Daniel Chukwuemeka (Northumbria University)
Utitofon Iyang (Binghamton University)
Chris Ouma (Duke University)
Akin Tella (University of Ibadan)
Joya Uraizee (Saint Louis University)
Author/Respondent
Ademola Adesola (Mount Royal University)
Book available, online: https://www.amazon.com/Representations-Soldiers-Contemporary-African-Narratives/dp/1666954497
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Akande, Rabiat. Entangled Domains: Empire, Law and Religion in Northern Nigeria (Cambridge University Press, 2023)
Chair
Aisha Bawa (Usmanu Dan Fodio University)
Discussants
Sam Daly (University of Chicago)
Junaidu Danladi (Bayero University)
Zheyuan Deng (Shanghai Normal University)
Abdulbasit Kassim (Stanford University)
Author/Respondent
Rabiat Akande (University of Maryland-College Park)
Book available, online: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/entangled-domains/E853E65CAD4CC987F8752DCDDB5372E3
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Alidou, Ousseina D. Protest Arts, Gender, and Social Change: Fiction, Popular Songs, and the Media in Hausa Society Across Borders (University of Michigan Press, 2024)
Chair
Asabe Kabir Usman (Usmanu Danfodiyo University)
Discussants
Furera Bagel (Bauchi State University)
Rukayat Banjo (Bayero University)
Carmen Mccain (SOAS, London)
Rosemary Popoola (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Author/Respondent
Ousseina D. Alidou (Rutgers University)
Book available, online: https://www.amazon.com/Protest-Arts-Gender-Social-Change/dp/047207668X
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Araujo, Ana Lucia. Humans in Shackles: An Atlantic History of Slavery (University of Chicago Press, 2024)
Chair
Olisa Muojama (University of Ibadan)
Discussants
Ajibola Abdulrahman (University of North Carolina-Charlotte)
Mutiat Oladejo (University of Ibadan)
Benjamin Lawrance (University of Arizona)
Lisa Lindsay (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)
Hermann von Hesse (University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign)
Author/Respondent
Ana Lucia Araujo (Howard University)
Book available, online: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/H/bo229867701.html
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Benjamin, Jody. The Texture of Change: Dress, Self-Fashioning, and History in Western Africa, 1700–1850 (Ohio University Press, 2024)
Chair
Judith Byfield (Cornell University)
Discussants
Morolake Dairo (Manchester Metropolitan University)
Zingha Foma (New York University)
Toby Green (King’s College, London)
Mutiat Oladejo (University of Ibadan)
Madina Thiam (New York University)
Author/Respondent
Jody Benjamin (Howard University)
Book available online: https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821425473/the-texture-of-change/
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Chris Dunton, Aniemeka, Ndubuisi Martins, and Mathias Orhero Critical Perspectives on Nduka Otiono (Pan-African University Press, 2024)
Chair
Jahman Anikulapo (Journalist, Activist, Independent Scholar)
Discussants
Akinyemi Akinmurele (University of Ibadan)
Samantha Iwowo (Bournemouth University)
Kingwa Kamencu (Writer and activist)
Nimi Wariboko (Boston University)
Respondent/Honoree
Nduka Otiono (Carleton University). Honoree
Chris Dunton, Mathias Iroro Orhero, and Ndubuisi Martins Aniemeka (editors)
Book available, online: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Critical-Perspectives-Nduka-Otiono/dp/B0D1VVWLJZ
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Daly, Sam. Soldier’s Paradise: Militarism in Africa after Empire (Duke University Press, 2024)
Chair
Maryam Hamza (Nigerian Defence Academy)
Discussants
Taiwo Bello (Oklahoma State University)
Oliver Coates (University of Cambridge)
Eric Covey (Grand Valley State University)
Olusola Ogunnubi (Queen’s University)
Akali Omeni (Boston University)
Author/Respondent
Samuel Fury Daly (University of Chicago)
Book available, online: https://www.dukeupress.edu/soldiers-paradise
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Hellman, Amanda H. The Making of Museums in Nigeria: Kenneth C. Murray and Heritage Preservation in Colonial West Africa (Lexington Books, 2023)
Chair
Sylvester Okwunodu Ogbechie (University of California, Santa Barbara)
Discussants
Kolawole Adekola (University of Ibadan)
Abidemi Babatunde Babalola (The British Museum)
Olubukola Gbadegesin (St. Loius University)
Francine Kola-Bankole (University of Birmingham)
Rebecca Wolff (Christopher Newport University)
Author/Respondents
Amanda H. Hellman (Vanderbilt University)
Book available online: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Museums-Nigeria-Heritage-Preservation/dp/1666912670
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Kerr, Nicholas. Electoral Commissions and Democratization in Africa: Everyday Production of Democratic Legitimacy (Oxford University Press, 2024)
Chair
Emmanuel Remi Aiyede (University of Ibadan)
Discussants
Omomayowa Abati (University of Essex)
Azeez Olaniyan (Federal University, Oye-Ekiti)
Omowumi Olufunmbi Elemo-Kaka (Michigan State University)
Omonye Omoigberale (Babcock University)
Lynn Schler (Ben Gurion University of the Negev)
Author/Respondent
Nicholas Kerr (University of Florida)
Book available, online: https://academic.oup.com/book/58083
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Newell, Stephanie. Newsprint Literature and Local Literary Creativity in West Africa, 1900s – 1960s (James Currey, 2023)
Chair
Femi Adedina (Lagos State University of Education)
Discussants
Shola Adenekan (Ghent University)
Emma Hunter (University of Edinburgh)
Lexzy Ochibejivwe (University of Lagos)
Katharina Oke (University of Graz)
Nozomi Sawada (Komazawa University)
Author/Respondent
Stephanie Newell (Yale University)
Book available online: https://boydellandbrewer.com/9781847013828/newsprint-literature-and-local-literary-creativity-in-west-africa-1900s-1960s/
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Oriola, Temitope. Terrorism, Politics, and Human Rights Advocacy: The #BringBackOurGirls Movement (Oxford University Press, 2024)
Chair
Isaac Olawale Albert (University of Ibadan)
Discussants
Gbemisola Abiola (Harvard University)
Fisayo Ajala (Stellenbosch University)
Wumi Asubiaro Dada (University of Toronto)
Abosede Babatunde (University of Ilorin)
Emeka Njoku (University of Birmingham)
Author/Respondent
Temitope Oriola (University of Alberta)
Book available online: https://www.amazon.com/Terrorism-Politics-Human-Rights-Advocacy/dp/0198886977
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Oyeleye, Olayinka. An African Feminist Philosophy of Language (Routledge, 2024)
Chair
Ebunoluwa Oduwole (Olabisi Onabanjo University)
Discussants
Lindokuhle Gama (Rhodes University)
Abosede Ipadeola (University of Hildesheim)
Leye Komolafe (University of South Carolina)
Zinhle ka’Nobuhlaluse (Southwestern University)
Adeolu Oyekan (Lagos State University)
Author/Respondent
Olayinka Oyeleye (Independent Scholar)
Book available, online: https://www.amazon.com/African-Feminist-Philosophy-Language-Global/dp/1032706325
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Para-Mallam, Oluwafunmilayo and Mojubaolu Okome, eds., Gender and Development in Nigeria: Concepts, Issues and Strategies (NIPSS Press, 2023)
Chair
Abosede Babatunde (University of Ilorin)
Discussants
Funmilayo Agbaje (University of Ibadan)
Titilope Ajayi (Institute for Security Studies)
Esther Ajayi-Lowo (Texas Christian University)
Elizabeth Animashaun (University of Ibadan)
Ngozika Obi-Ani (University of Nigeria)
Editors/Respondents
Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam (National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies)
Mojúbàolú Okome (Brooklyn College, CUNY)
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Raheem, Oluwafunminiyi and Ayowole Elugbaju. Myth, Ritual, and Visible Expressions of Ọbàtálá and Olókun in Ilé-Ifẹ̀ (Lexington, 2024)
Chair
Oyeronke Olademo (University of Ilorin)
Discussants
Kolapo Abimbola (Howard University)
Jeff Gonzalez (Florida International University)
Moyo Okediji (University of Texas at Austin)
Bukola Omigbule (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Authors/ Respondents
Oluwafunminiyi Raheem (Osun State University)
Ayowole Elugbaju (Redeemer’s University)
Book available, online: https://www.amazon.com/Ritual-Visible-Expressions-b%C3%A0t%C3%A1l%C3%A1-Ol%C3%B3kun/dp/1666945358
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Sacks, Susanna. Networked Poetics: The Digital Turn in Southern African Poetry (University of Massachusetts Press, 2024)
Chair
Chris Anyokwu (University of Lagos)
Discussants
Oladele Adejobi (Lagos State University)
Funke Awodiya (Afe Babalola University)
Gabriel Bamgbose (University of California, San Diego)
Tosin Gbogi (Marquette University)
Henri Oripeloye (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Author/Respondent
Susanna Sacks (Howard University)
Book available, online: https://www.umasspress.com/9781625347671/networked-poetics/
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Salawu, Jide and Rasaq Malik, eds. African Urban Echoes: A Poetry Anthology (Griots Lounge Publishing Canada, 2025)
Chair
Olatoun Gabi-Williams (Borders Literature for all Nations)
Discussants
Funke Awodiya (Afe Babalola University)
Gabriel Bamgbose (University of California, San Diego)
Aduke Gomez (Author/Independent Scholar)
Tade Ipadeola (Author/Independent Scholar)
Henri Oripeloye (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Editors/Respondents
Jide Salawu (University of Alberta)
Rasaq Malik Gbolahan (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Book available, online: https://www.africanbookscollective.com/books/african-urban-echoes
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Tsika, Noah. African Media in an Age of Extraction: Nollywood Geographies (Amsterdam University Press, 2025)
Chair
Tony Adah (Minnesota State University—Moorhead)
Discussants
Lani Akande (University of North Carolina -Wilmington)
Mathew Brown (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Tolulope Ibikunle (National Institute for Nigerian Languages, Aba)
Folakemi Ogungbe (Pan-Atlantic University)
Elizabeth Olayiwola (University of Abuja)
Author/Respondents
Noah Tsika (Queens College, City University of New York)
Book available online: https://www.aup.nl/en/book/9789048561254/african-media-in-an-age-of-extraction
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Usuanlele, Uyilawa. Diasporas and Ethnic Identities in Africa: The Edo ne Ekue among the Northeast Yoruba, 1485–1995 (Lexington Books, 2024)
Chair
Paul Akin-Otiko (University of Lagos)
Discussants
Abosede George (Barnard College-Columbia University)
Frank Ikponmwosa (University of Benin)
Olatunji Ojo (Brock University)
Oreoluwa Oguntomisin (University of Ilesa)
Abimbola Oyarinu (Olabisi Onabanjo University)
Author/Respondent
Uyilawa Usuanlele (State University of New York, Oswego)
Book available, online: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666943313/Diasporas-and-Ethnic-Identities-in-Africa-The-Edo-ne-Ekue-among-the-Northeast-Yoruba-1485%E2%80%931995
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Uzuegbunam, Chikezie E. Children and Young People’s Digital Lifeworlds: Domestication, Mediation, and Agency (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024)
Chair
Chinyere Stella Okunna (Paul University)
Discussants
Ademola Adesola (Mount Royal University)
Sarah Chidiebere Joe (Rivers State University)
Joan Njagi (Erasmus University)
Ngozi Okpara (Pan Atlantic University)
Author/ Respondent
Chikezie E Uzuegbunam (Rhodes University)
Book available, online: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Chikezie-Uzuegbunam-ebook/dp/B0CTC5XRRV
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Vaughan, Olufemi. Letters, Kinship, and Social Mobility in Nigeria (University of Wisconsin Press, 2023)
Chair
Gloria Chuku (University of Maryland-Baltimore County)
Discussants
Taariqa-Rahamat Adepeju Ilupeju (University of Ibadan)
Monsuru Muritala (University of Ibadan)
Mufutau Oriyomi Jimoh (Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi)
Yolanda Osondu (University of Calgary)
Sara Panata (French National Centre for Scientific Research)
Author/ Respondent
Olufemi Vaughan (Amherst College)
Book available, online: https://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/6162.htm
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Yeku, James. The Algorithmic Age of Personality: African Literature and Cancel Culture (Michigan State University Press, 2025)
Chair
Rotimi Fasan (Osun State University)
Discussants
Mujeedah Abdul Aleem Olagunju (Ahmadu Bello University)
Adeleke Adeeko (Ohio State University)
Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang (University of Ghana)
Molly Slavin (Clark Atlanta University)
Chikezie E Uzuegbunam (Rhodes University)
Author/Respondents
James Yeku (University of Kansas
Book available, online: https://msupress.org/9781611865332/the-algorithmic-age-of-personality/