ABU Professor Emmanuel Adedokun Honoured With 2025 Paul Muchene Fellowship.
Professor Emmanuel Adewale Adedokun, a distinguished academic from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Paul Muchene Fellow Award. The announcement, made by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), recognises Adedokun’s contributions to academia and his engagement in global internet governance as part of the ICANN83 Fellowship Programme.
The Paul Muchene Fellow Award, named in memory of the late ICANN Fellowship participant and staff member who passed away in August 2022, celebrates individuals who demonstrate a commitment to ICANN’s mission of ensuring a stable, secure, and unified global internet. Adedokun, a professor in ABU’s Department of Computer Engineering, was selected from among 40 fellows representing 33 countries for the ICANN83 Policy Forum, scheduled for 9–12 June 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic.
A technical expert with a PhD in Electrical Engineering (Network Security) from ABU, Adedokun has an extensive academic portfolio, with over 534 citations and 79 publications in areas such as computer networks, security, and emerging technologies. His work includes innovative research on machine learning classifiers to enhance intelligent transportation systems, improving road navigation and user safety. He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
The ICANN Fellowship Programme aims to strengthen the diversity of the multistakeholder model by supporting individuals from underserved and underrepresented communities. Adedokun’s selection highlights his active involvement in policy development and technical aspects of the Domain Name System, aligning with ICANN’s goal of fostering global internet stability. Posts on X celebrated the achievement, with users describing it as a “proud moment for ABU and Nigeria’s academic community.”
Ahmadu Bello University, one of Nigeria’s leading institutions and the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa by land area, has a strong legacy of producing prominent scholars and leaders. Adedokun’s award adds to this reputation, showcasing the university’s contributions to global academic and technical discourse.
Reflecting on the honour, Adedokun expressed gratitude to ICANN and ABU, noting his commitment to advancing internet governance and technological innovation in Nigeria. While specific details of his planned contributions at the ICANN83 Forum were not disclosed, his expertise in network security is expected to enrich discussions on global internet policy
