Akin L. Mabogunje

Dr. Mabogunje was the Father of Geography in Nigeria, the first African President of the International Geographical, and the 2017 winner of the Union Vautrin Lud Prize. Mabogunje made enormous contributions to the University of Ibadan, where he was Head of Department of Geography (1972-1975); Dean Faculty of the Social Sciences (1968-1970) and Director, Planning Studies Programme (1972-1981), and much more. He consulted for all levels of government in Nigeria, the Local, State and Federal levels on diverse topics of development. Internationally, he contributed to the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development in Geneva; International Council for Scientific Unions; the International Labour Organization (ILO); the Population Council, New York; the African Studies Association; UNCHS; UNDP and UNESCO, among others. Dr. Mabogunje has been a Visiting Professor at dozens of universities world-wide and the recipient of many Honorary Doctorates. Throughout his career he has been the Chairman or President of dozens of international organizations. He is the author or co-author of various scholarly contributions including 25 books and over 100 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Mabogunje was awarded the American Geographical Society’s Livingston Medal in 1975, for his work in urban geography and migration.