The Federal Republic of Nigeria named history professor Toyin Falola Member of the Order of the Niger this Oct. The title is one of the highest national honors given by the country.

Falola, a Nigerian citizen, recently received the award on account of his service to Nigeria by raising awareness about the country and teaching students about African history. He has done a plethora of research and scholarly writing about Nigeria, and the award recognizes his contribution to Nigerian and African history and scholarship.

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“All countries have these awards, including the US; all countries have Presidential Awards,” Falola said. “These are national honors … and the (recipients) have rendered service to the nation. Your service is measurable in terms of impact on national development, and then they break it down in terms of disciplines and fields. My own is academic.”

In addition to being a decorated professor and scholar, Falola is also a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigerian Academy of Letters and has received several awards, including the Jean Holloway Award for Teaching Excellence, the Texas Exes Teaching Award, the Ibn Khaldun Distinguished Award for Research Excellence and the Distinguished Fellow, Ibadan Cultural Group.

Among the classes Falola currently teaches at UT are “The United States and Africa,” “Intro To Traditional Africa” and “Intro To Historical Inquiry.” This spring, he will teach a class entitled “Introduction to Modern Africa.”

Falola said that receiving this award establishes his reputation as a role model to students and other followers of his work. 

“You are telling young men or women (to) excel in whatever occupation you choose for yourself,” Falola said. “Whether as a professor, or as a horticulturist, or as an entrepreneur or as an elementary school teacher, excel in it and have passion for what you do, and develop a positive mind to transform people who are coming after you.”