In the Company of Those Who Have Earned Global Acclaim

Dr. Raphael Chijioke Njoku, professor in the Department of History at Idaho State University (ISU) has the distinguished honor of being appointed to The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL). Notable Foundation Fellows include Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka.

NAL is the foremost institution in Nigeria dedicated to arts and literature. Established in 1974, it operates autonomously and promotes scholarship in humanities without political affiliations.  Membership comes with some expectations, including continuing research and scholarship, attending the Academy's annual meetings, and participating in other activities in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

"It is humbling that NAL extended its membership to me,” Professor Njoku says. “When I received the invitation in early October 2023 to join the elite club of the Nigerian army of scholars in the arts and literature, my initial reaction was, Okay, I am not Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Adiele Afigbo, or Toyin Falola, among other heavyweights who have earned global acclaim in the Academy. I still sometimes wonder if I am in a dream.”

Professor Njoku expresses his immense gratitude to Idaho State University and Pocatello’s serene environment that allows him to work in amity. “It is a great honor to be a member of NAL.”