Dr. Morufu Bukola Omigbule has been awarded the prestigious Afox Travel Grant from the University of Oxford, facilitating his research collaboration with Professor Paul Basu from the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography. Dr. Omigbule’s project also involves partnerships with two secondary collaborators: Professor David Zeitlyn, an anthropologist specializing in Religion at Oxford, and Dr. Peter Francois, an Associate Professor in Cultural Evolution.

Building on his fellowship at Gents University, Belgium, which has fostered institutional collaboration between Obafemi Awolowo University and Gents University, Dr. Omigbule aims to investigate ethnonationalist tendencies within Yoruba rituals over the past two decades. This research will delve into the social, cultural, political, economic, and transnational implications of such trends, opening avenues for multidisciplinary studies in anthropology, historical scholarship, sociology, religious studies, ethnic studies, international relations, diaspora studies, ethnology, area studies, and postcolonial studies.

Dr. Omigbule’s proposed research aligns closely with Professor Paul Basu’s focus on cultural memory and alternative epistemologies, as well as with Professor Zeitlyn’s research on African traditional religion, kinship, and history. Furthermore, it intersects with Dr. Francois’ exploration of the convergence between history and cultural evolution.

The University extends its congratulations to Dr. Omigbule and acknowledges its role as the primary institution nurturing his scholarly endeavors