Toyin Falola

**Toyin Falola: Historian and Academic** Toyin Falola (born January 1, 1953, in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria) is a distinguished Nigerian historian and university professor, widely recognized for his extensive work in African history and historiography. He has established himself as one of the most prominent global scholars in African Studies. **Early Life and Education** Toyin Falola was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. He earned both his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with honors in 1976 and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in History in 1981 from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), in Nigeria. His academic focus is African History. **Career Progression and Current Status** Falola joined the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in 1991. He currently holds the prestigious position of the Jacob and Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at the university. Throughout his career, he has also held short-term teaching appointments at several international institutions, including the University of Cambridge in England, York University in Canada, and The Australian National University in Canberra. His academic leadership roles include serving as the president of the African Studies Association (2014 and 2015). **Major Achievements and Academic Honors** Professor Falola's contributions to academia are vast, encompassing over 150 authored and edited books on African history, politics, and epistemology. He is highly regarded for his scholarship in African historiography. Notable honors include being a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria and of the Nigerian Academy of Letters. He has received numerous international accolades, including the Distinguished Africanist Award, the SIRAS Award for Outstanding Contribution to African Studies, and multiple honorary doctorates (over 26). The Toyin Falola International Conference on Africa and the African Diaspora (TOFAC) was established in his honor. **Notable Works** Falola is a prolific author. Some of his significant works include: * *A History of Nigeria* * *Africa, vol.1: African History Before 1885* * *Key Events in African History: A Reference Guide* * *Culture and Customs of Nigeria* * *African Urban Spaces in Historical Perspective* (co-authored with Steven J. Salm)