Nigerian Professor, Olupona, Elected Into American Academy

Nigeria’s Professor Jacob K. Olupona has been elected into the American Academy of Arts and Science. Olupona was elected in the field of religious studies.

Olupona, a professor of African Religious Traditions at the Harvard Divinity School, is among the new Academy fellows revealed yesterday.

This was announced yesterday by Academy president David W. Oxtoby and chair of the Board of Directors Nancy C. Andrews.

The nearly 270 members elected in 2023 are drawn from the academia, the arts, industry, policy, research, and science, and include more than 40 International Honorary Members (IHM) from 23 countries. The Academy announced that 269 excellent individuals have been elected to the Academy in 2023.

According to the Academy, it continues to be both an honorary society, electing new members from the non-profit, private, and public sectors, and an independent policy organisation with initiatives in the arts, democracy, education, global affairs, and science.

Announcing this year’s new members, Oxtoby said, “With the election of these members, the Academy is honoring excellence, innovation, and leadership and recognizing a broad array of stellar accomplishments. We hope every new member celebrates this achievement and joins our work advancing the common good.”

Also, Andrews said, “In its earliest days, the Academy sought members who would help address issues and opportunities confronting a young nation. We feel a similar urgency and have elected a class that brings diverse expertise to meet the pressing challenges and possibilities that America and the world face today.”