Ayokunu (‘Ayo’) Adedokun is a political scientist, international development specialist and peacebuilding practitioner. His research focuses on the roles of local actors and the international community in peacebuilding, terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies, democratization and good governance with a regional focus on sub-Saharan Africa. As a university lecturer at Leiden University College (LUC), he teaches courses on the politics and development of Africa, institutions for governance and development, public policy analysis and global challenges.

More information about Ayokunu Adedokun

Biography

Dr. Ayokunu (‘Ayo’) Adedokun is a political scientist and international development specialist who studies global conflict, peacebuilding, democracy, corruption, and anti-corruption policies. He also provides advice to governments and international organisations on how to promote peacebuilding and development in countries emerging from civil wars. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Public Policy and International Development at Leiden University College (LUC) in The Hague. Prior to joining Leiden, he served as a Special Adviser on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution to the Executive Governor of Kaduna State in Nigeria. Before that, he was an Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations at American University of Nigeria (AUN). Prior to joining AUN, he was a Research Fellow and Tutor at the United Nations University (UNU-MERIT) and Maastricht University Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG) in the Netherlands. He has also worked and consulted for the World Bank Group, United Nations and the British Council. 

Dr. Ayo has won multiple international awards, grants, and scholarships. He received the Leiden University Best Teacher of the Year Award in 2021 for excellence in teaching. Similarly, he was ranked one of the four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year Prize for 2022 in the Netherlands. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Oxford University Clarendon scholarship, and the World Bank Group Fellowship Programme. He has published in international journals. He received his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Governance from Maastricht University Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG) in the Netherlands. He completed a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in International Development Studies from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom as a Clarendon Scholar. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (First Class Honours) from the University of Lagos in Nigeria as a chancellor Scholar. He is passionate about supporting, mentoring, coaching, and empowering students.

Academic Expertise

• International Development
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Corruption and Anti-Corruption Policies
• Africa
• Education innovation (e.g., soft skills, students’ well‐being, changing nature of work

Courses

• Institutions of Governance and Development (IGD)
• Institutions in Time: Development
• Public Policy Analysis: Anti-Corruption
• Human Security: Civil War and Violence
• Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
• Politics and Development of Africa
• Politics of the Policy Process: Comparative Perspectives
• Global Challenges: Prosperity
• Introduction to Comparative Politics

Publications