Nigerian Academic Abidemi Babalola Wins Prestigious $300,000 Dan David Prize.
Dr Abidemi Babatunde Babalola, a Nigerian research archaeologist based in the United States, has been awarded the 2025 Dan David Prize, the world’s largest financial award for historical scholarship. The $300,000 prize was presented to Dr Babalola at a ceremony in Italy on 28 May 2025, recognising his groundbreaking contributions to the study of West African history and technology.
Dr Babalola, an anthropological archaeologist at the British Museum, was honoured for his pioneering research on the indigenous production of glass beads in premodern West Africa, particularly at the historic site of Ile-Ife in southwest Nigeria. His work has challenged long-held assumptions by demonstrating that glass production in Africa predated European colonialism and was developed independently, reshaping narratives about the continent’s technological achievements. Using advanced material science techniques, such as chemical analysis of glass beads and crucibles, Babalola’s research has highlighted the sophistication of early African societies and their role in global trade networks.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in archaeology, Dr Babalola completed his PhD at Rice University in Houston, Texas. His interdisciplinary approach integrates archaeology, ethnography, history, and material science to explore the cultural, religious, and political significance of glass beads in West African societies. He currently serves as the lead archaeologist for the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Archaeology Project in Benin City, Nigeria, in collaboration with the British Museum’s Department of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
The Dan David Prize, endowed by the Dan David Foundation and headquartered at Tel Aviv University, awards up to nine scholars annually for their innovative contributions to historical research. Each recipient receives $300,000 to further their work, making it the largest history prize globally. This year’s winners, announced on 10 June 2025, include archaeologists, historians, and filmmakers exploring diverse topics, from Ethiopian Jewish history to early modern science. The prize’s academic advisor, Professor Tim Cole, praised the recipients for their “outstanding” contributions to understanding the human past.
Dr Babalola’s work extends beyond academia, as he actively engages in public outreach in Nigeria, sharing his findings with communities connected to the histories he studies. His efforts underscore the importance of preserving and promoting African heritage, notably through his involvement in the upcoming Museum of West African Arts, set to open in Benin City.
Fellow Nigerian academic and 2023 Dan David Prize winner, Professor Saheed Aderinto, celebrated Babalola’s achievement, noting their friendship that began at the University of Ibadan in 1999. “It’s a privilege to witness another truly exceptional scholar from Nigeria achieve this honour,” Aderinto shared on social media.
Dr Babalola’s accolades also include the Shanghai Archaeology Forum Discovery Award (2019), the World Archaeology Congress Blaze O’Connor Award (2022), and the Archaeological Institute of America’s Conservation and Heritage Site Award (2025). His research continues to redefine the narrative of Africa’s technological and cultural contributions to global history.
The Dan David Prize’s recognition of Dr Babalola highlights the growing global appreciation for African scholarship and its vital role in reshaping historical understanding. As one of nine recipients this year, his work stands as a testament to the power of innovative research in illuminating the past.
