Prof. Patrick Ukata’s area of interest is political economy of Africa, governance, human rights, and the rule of law. He teaches courses on globalization and global political economy. He has previously taught many courses on Africa at American University, Georgetown University and the George Washington University. He is also the former Director of the American University of Nigeria Project at American University.
He co-edited, with American University’s Professor Carl Levan, a big volume on Nigerian politics for Oxford University Press in 2018. The book, The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics, offers a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s very rich history and ever changing politics. The volume encompasses 44 chapters organized thematically into essays covering history, political institutions, civil society, economic and social policy, identity and insecurity, and Nigeria in a globalized world. It fosters a deep understanding of Nigeria's socio-political evolution and experience by covering a broad range of political issues and historical eras, and it also identifies many of the classic debates on Nigerian politics. He has also published many book chapters. Currently, his research effort is focused on understanding the issues surrounding the recent trend and incidents of democratic backsliding and coups in a number of African countries.
Courses Taught