Professor Adewunmi Falode James is a distinguished academic figure in the field of security and strategic studies, based at Lagos State University in Nigeria. As a Professor in the Department of History and International Relations, his work sits at the complex intersection of warfare, terrorism, and the modern challenges facing the African state.
His primary research interest lies in the branch of war studies known as asymmetric warfare, with a specific and sustained focus on terrorism studies. Professor Falode James brings a unique perspective to this volatile subject, viewing contemporary conflicts such as insurgencies and guerrilla warfare through the long lens of a historian.
This spatio-temporal approach allows him to analyse not just the events, but the underlying theories and concepts that define twenty-first-century conflicts.
A significant portion of his work is dedicated to dissecting Nigeria’s prolonged battle with Boko Haram. His analyses are notable for their critical edge, as seen in his work on the role of intelligence in the conflict between 2010 and 2021.
He has argued that a failure to effectively and proactively utilise intelligence allowed the insurgent group to maintain an advantage over the Nigerian military.
To address this, he has proposed innovative frameworks such as the “triplicity approach,” which calls for the synchronous and holistic use of human, open-source, and financial intelligence in counterterrorism operations.
His publications, including works like “The Nature of Nigeria’s Boko Haram War” and “Hybrid Doctrine,” have sought to provide both a strategic analysis of the conflict and practical pathways toward resolution.
Beyond the immediate confines of Nigeria, Professor Falode James examines broader transnational threats. His research explores the deadly ecosystems where illicit firearms markets fuel organised crime, including human and drug trafficking, which in turn undermines political stability and economic development across Africa.
He argues that combating these pervasive issues requires states to adopt proactive, holistic measures and invest heavily in strengthening their defence institutions.
Throughout his career, which began at Lagos State University in 2004, Professor Falode James has established himself as a prolific scholar.
His work, grounded in a realist theoretical perspective, provides a sobering and essential analysis of the forces that shape insecurity, offering valuable insight for policymakers, academics, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the modern security landscape.
