My journey to the Yenching Academy of Peking University begins with a love for Chinese food and a burning desire to master the art of eating with chopsticks. After all, if I can navigate a bowl of hot and sour soup without flinging tofu across the room, surely I can navigate the complexities of global diplomacy, right? Though this will be my first time in China and Asia, I’m excited to finally put my years of Kung Fu movie training to good use. Watching Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Bruce Lee films should definitely count as cross-cultural preparation, shouldn't it? Okay, that's all jokes.
While I make you smile about my love for dim sum and my fear of accidentally ordering chicken feet, my pursuit of a Master of Law in China Studies with a concentration in politics and international relations at the esteemed Yenching Academy of Peking University is driven by a genuine desire to engage deeply with China's global influence. As someone hailing from Nigeria—a country that has been significantly impacted by China’s economic developments—I find it imperative to explore the dynamics of China-Africa relations. This interest isn't just a passing fascination but is deeply rooted in my academic and professional journey, where I have focused on understanding the intersections of governance, development, and diplomacy across Africa.
Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand the socio-political challenges that many African nations face: issues of governance, economic inequality, and development hurdles that are exacerbated by both internal and external forces. It became lucid to me early on that solving these issues would require a nuanced understanding of global power dynamics, especially the increasing presence of non-Western powers like China. This realization guided my academic path from my undergraduate days at Obafemi Awolowo University, where I studied English and conducted research on "Euphemism and Dysphemism in the Language of Nnamdi Kanu," a study that sought to explore the complexities of political communication in a conflict-prone society. This early exposure to socio-political discourse analysis set the stage for my subsequent focus on international relations and development.
At Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, where I pursued a Master’s degree in African Studies, my academic interests began to crystallize around the evolving nature of China-Africa relations. My research focused on African politics, governance, and international development. Moreover, I gained a nuanced understanding of how external actors, particularly China, influence the socio-economic landscape of African countries. My work as an Associate Instructor in African Studies and as a Researcher of African Studies Collections at the Herman B. Wells Library further enriched my perspective, allowing me to examine the narratives and frameworks through which African and global scholars view China’s growing influence on the continent.
My Fulbright Fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, added another layer to this understanding. As a Yoruba language instructor, I was not only teaching but also engaging in cross-cultural exchange, which provided me with invaluable insights into how languages and cultures shape perceptions and policies. This experience heightened my awareness of the importance of cultural diplomacy in international relations, a theme I intend to explore further at Yenching Academy. China’s soft power strategies in Africa, including language and cultural exchanges, Confucius Institutes, and educational scholarships, have created both opportunities and challenges for African nations—a duality that I am eager to explore academically and pragmatically.
My previous role as a Student Consultant for the Hamilton Lugar School Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) audit project for Reclaim Childhood, an NGO for refugees in Jordan, has also shaped my understanding of development from a global perspective. The experience reinforced the importance of robust M&E frameworks in assessing the effectiveness of international development initiatives—a principle I believe is equally relevant in evaluating China’s development projects in Africa.
Additionally, my work as a Research Fellow with the National African Language Resource Center and as President of the Graduate Students in African Studies at Indiana University allowed me to be at the forefront of discussions about Africa's place in global geopolitics. I have been involved in discussions on topics such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its implications for African development, the changing patterns of Sino-African trade, and the socio-political impact of Chinese investments in key sectors like infrastructure, mining, and technology. These experiences have solidified my belief that Africa must engage more critically and strategically with China to ensure mutual benefits and sustainable development.
Joining Yenching Academy represents a crucial step in my academic and professional journey. I am particularly interested in studying China’s development model, its political economy, and its unique approach to diplomacy, which often contrasts sharply with western paradigms. Understanding these differences is key to navigating the future of Sino-African relations. The Yenching Academy offers a multidisciplinary environment where I can explore these themes in depth, engage with leading scholars, and participate in vibrant discussions that challenge conventional narratives. The opportunity to study in Beijing will also enable me to experience firsthand the cultural, social, and economic contexts that shape China's foreign policy.
Moreover, I aim to conduct comparative research on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on different African countries, focusing on both the opportunities and challenges it presents. I want to examine the varied responses of African governments to Chinese investments and the policy implications for sustainable development. For instance, while countries like Ethiopia have embraced China’s infrastructural investments as a means to drive rapid economic growth, others have raised concerns about debt sustainability and political sovereignty. By understanding these nuanced perspectives, I hope to contribute to a more balanced and equitable China-Africa relationship, advocating for policies that prioritize long-term development goals over short-term gains.
At Yenching, I will delve into topics such as China's foreign policy, international relations theory, and the political economy of development, complementing my existing knowledge of African governance and international development. I am excited to learn from the esteemed faculty and my fellow Scholars, who bring diverse perspectives from across the globe. These interactions will undoubtedly enrich my research, helping me to develop innovative approaches to fostering stronger China-Africa relations that go beyond mere transactional engagements.
Ultimately, my goal is to return to Nigeria not only with a wealth of knowledge about China’s role in global affairs but also with actionable insights that can help shape Nigeria’s foreign policy and development strategies. I envision playing a leading role in crafting policies that encourage constructive engagement with China, leveraging the partnership for sustainable development while safeguarding Africa's sovereignty and strategic interests. And who knows? Perhaps I'll bring back some impressive chopstick skills to impress friends in Chinese restaurants—or at least a few Chinese proverbs to drop into conversations. Xie xie ni!
