Abiodun Alao

Abiodun Alao is a Professor of African Studies at King's College London's African Leadership Centre, part of the School of Global Affairs. He holds a BA in History from the University of Ibadan, an MA in International Relations from the University of Ile Ife, and a Doctorate in War Studies from King's College London, supported by the Ford Foundation and SSRC-MacArthur Fellowships. He has held teaching roles at Obafemi Awolowo University and a Visiting Professorship at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

His research focuses on African security, conflict, and development, including religious radicalisation, natural resource management, and peacebuilding. Notable works include analyses of Sierra Leone's peace agreements, Liberia's post-civil war security frameworks, and China-Africa security cooperation. He advises international organizations like the UN, African Union, and World Bank on conflict and development issues.

Recent publications include Religion, Public Health and Human Security in Nigeria (2023) and Rage and Carnage in the Name of God: Religious Violence in Nigeria (2022). His awards include fellowships from the Ford Foundation and SSRC-MacArthur.

Alao supervises postgraduate students and leads research groups such as the Conflict, Security & Development Research Group and the Just Transitions and Interdisciplinary Peace research group. His work addresses global health-security intersections, decarbonisation impacts on security, and African agency in international affairs.