The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) has named His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, as one of its Honorary Fellows for 2025. The announcement was made after a meeting of the Academy’s College of Fellows held on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
Joining the revered traditional ruler on the list are two prominent media figures, Mr. Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo and Dr. Lasisi Olagunju. Their selection highlights the Academy’s continued commitment to recognising outstanding contributions to humanistic and cultural practice beyond academic circles.
Twelve scholars were also elected as Regular Fellows, spanning disciplines such as Classical Studies, Literary Studies, Communication and Media Studies, and Linguistics. Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran, a distinguished historian based abroad, was elected as an Overseas Fellow.
The fellowships and awards will be formally conferred at the Academy’s 27th Convocation on 14 August 2025, to be held at the University of Lagos. The event will also feature the presentation of Awards of Excellence in Humanistic Practice to Mr. Laolu Ogunniyi, Alhaji Teju Wasee Kareem, and Mr. Musa Alao Adedayo.
Professor Sola Akinrinade, FNAL, President of the Academy, made the announcement and reaffirmed NAL’s dedication to honouring individuals whose work promotes the growth of humanistic thought and cultural development in Nigeria and beyond.
