Professor Evans Osabuohien hosts Professor James Robinson (from the University of Chicago, USA) who is popularly known for his book “Why Nations Fail.”

Another international feat was recorded by Prof. Evans Osabuohien in August 2022 when he hosted Professor James Robinson from the University of Chicago, USA.  Professor James Robinson is a globally renowned economist and political scientist. He co-authored three books with Daron Acemoglu, an Institute Professor of Economics at MIT. One of his popular books Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty (translated into 41 languages since its publication in 2012), pulled together much of their joint research on comparative development and proposed a theory of why some countries have flourished economically while others have fallen into poverty.

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Prof James Robinson autographing his book for Prof Evans Osabuohien
Prof Evans Osabuohien, Prof James Robinson and Daniel Sonnenstuhl having dinner

Professor James Robinson, made a presentation at a seminar during his stay. The theme was “Africa’s Latent Assets,” it was held on Monday 22nd August 2022, it was a hybrid event with participants joining from the different parts of the world. The highlight of this seminar was the illustration of the hidden potential of the African society, which he dubbed the ‘unrecognized Latent Assets’.  He argued that African society has experienced a high level of perceived and actual social mobility due to its talent-driven nature.

The high point of his visit was the gifting of his autographed book Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty to his host (Prof Evans Osabuohien). 

It would be recalled that Prof Evans Osabuohien hosted one of Prof James Robison’s doctoral candidates (Daniel Sonnenstuhl) in February and June 2022. The collaboration is already culminating into joint research project, which is one of the reasons for Prof James Robinson’s visit.