Nigerian Economist Joins South African University as Extraordinary Professor
By Patience Ikpeme
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in South Africa has appointed renowned Nigerian economist, Prof. Afees Adebare Salisu, as an Extraordinary Professor in its Department of Economics, a move expected to strengthen the institution’s research capacity and deepen international academic collaboration.
The appointment, announced by the university’s Faculty of Economics and Finance, forms part of TUT’s efforts to advance research excellence and promote scholarship that addresses policy and development challenges in Africa and beyond.
Prof. Salisu, who currently serves as Executive Director of the Centre for Econometrics and Applied Research (CEAR) in Ibadan, Nigeria, is widely recognised for his contributions to economics and econometrics.
He ranks among the top one per cent of economists in Africa and has consistently been listed among the world’s top two per cent of scientists over the past five years, reflecting his growing influence in global academic circles.
An accomplished scholar, Salisu completed his academic training in Economics through Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees before undertaking a Graduate Research Fellowship at University College London in the United Kingdom.
Over the years, he has built an extensive international academic profile, serving as Visiting and Research Professor at several institutions across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
These include Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City and Ton Duc Thang University in Vietnam, as well as the Global Humanistic University in Curaçao.
He also currently serves as an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Reacting to his latest appointment, Prof. Salisu described the position at TUT as an important milestone in his academic career and an opportunity to contribute further to higher education and research in South Africa.
According to him, the appointment aligns with his long-standing commitment to advancing Africa’s development through research, teaching, mentorship and policy engagement.
He said the new role would provide an avenue to strengthen academic collaboration and support the production of research that addresses the continent’s development challenges.
Salisu noted that his work is driven by the desire to generate knowledge that can assist policymakers, businesses and institutions in addressing pressing economic issues while promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
He added that mentoring young scholars and encouraging research that responds to real-world challenges remain central to his academic mission.
His research focuses on some of the most important issues shaping economies globally and across Africa, including climate change, energy transition, financial stability, geopolitical developments and technological transformation.
The economist also devotes attention to challenges such as unemployment, inequality, economic resilience and inclusive growth, areas that continue to shape policy discussions across the continent.
Welcoming the appointment, the Head of the Department of Economics at TUT, Prof. Mulatu Zerihun, said bringing Prof. Salisu on board would strengthen the department’s research capabilities and support its internationalisation agenda.
According to Zerihun, Salisu’s expertise in econometrics and applied economics will enhance postgraduate teaching, foster research collaboration and improve policy engagement, particularly on African economic issues.
He expressed confidence that the appointment would create new opportunities for cross-border academic partnerships and strengthen the university’s contribution to evidence-based policymaking.
The appointment also reflects the increasing recognition of African scholars on the global stage and the growing role of research collaboration in addressing complex economic challenges facing developing economies.
Analysts say the move underscores the importance of linking academic research with public policy, particularly at a time when African countries are grappling with issues ranging from climate change and energy transition to unemployment and economic inequality.
For many universities across the continent, such partnerships are increasingly viewed as essential for generating knowledge that can support sustainable development and improve economic outcomes.
With his extensive research record and international experience, Prof. Salisu is expected to contribute significantly to TUT’s efforts to strengthen research excellence, expand global partnerships and produce scholarship that addresses Africa’s evolving development needs.
