By our Reporter
Another significant chapter has been written in the history of the University of Lagos as Professor Maryam Omolara Quadri is appointed as the first female Professor of Political Science. The Department of Political Science which commenced as a Unit at the inception of the University in 1962, and transitioned to a department in the 1967/1968 academic session, has produced numerous esteemed academics including Professor Eme Awa (late), Professor Stephen Olugbemi (late), Professor Remi Anifowose (late), Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo, Professor Tunde Babawale, Professor Solomon Akinboye, Professor Browne Onuoha, Professor Derin Ologbenla and Professor Adelaja Odukoya. Joining this group of distinguished academics is Professor Maryam Quadri as the first female Professor of Political Science at the University of Lagos.
Professor Maryam Omolara Quadri holds a Doctorate Degree in Political Science with specialization in Public Administration and Public Policy. She commenced her career at the University of Lagos in 2002 as an Assistant Lecturer. Through the years, Professor Quadri has served meritoriously as the Coordinator of the Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) programme (2015-2017), Coordinator of the Master of Research and Public Policy (MRPP) programme (2017-2019) and Coordinator of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) programme (2019-2021). In 2024, Professor Quadri assumed office as the Acting Head, Department of Political Science, representing the first female academic to head the department in any capacity.
Between 2020 and 2022, Professor Quadri worked as the Coordinator of the South-West Region of Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association, Nigeria (COSFAN) as the South-west Coordinator, and served as the Secretary-General of COSFAN from April 2023 to April 2025. In contribution to national development, Professor Quadri served as a member of the Curriculum Development Team for The Electoral Institute (an arm of the National Independent Electoral Commission) and participated in many of the trainings and workshops organised by the Institute from 2013 to 2016.
Professor Quadri was a Visiting Scholar to the Department of Political Science and International Affairs, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Georgia, United States in 2011. She was a Commonwealth Professional Fellow at Roehampton University, United Kingdom in 2012, and Fellow of the American Political Science Association (APSA) Africa Workshop at Maputo, Mozambique in 2014. She is currently an associate member of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), University of Lagos.
Professor Quadri’s research focus is on public policy, gender and development studies. She has participated in several research activities including working as Field Manager in the Lagos Metropolitan Development Project – Baseline Household Service Delivery Survey for the Lagos State Government and World Bank, South-West Zonal Coordinator of the National Perception Survey on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Campaign, among others. Professor Quadri has attended numerous academic conferences in Nigeria and abroad, as well as published in many reputable local and international journals.
