Why academic papers are rejected, by UK-based Nigerian varsity don
Dr. Akin Iwilade, a Nigerian-born, UK-based senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, has outlined critical shortcomings affecting the quality of scholarship and academic publishing among Nigerian scholars. Speaking
- By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt
Dr. Akin Iwilade, a Nigerian-born, UK-based senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, has outlined critical shortcomings affecting the quality of scholarship and academic publishing among Nigerian scholars.
Speaking on the topic, “What editors and book reviewers want from scholars,” Iwilade emphasised that sound scholarship remains the foundation of credible writing and publishing, describing publication as the final stage of an extensive research process.
He explained that rigorous scholarship begins with collecting original empirical data, adhering to ethical research standards, and using appropriate data-gathering tools. He cautioned against relying on artificial intelligence-generated content or newspaper sources, as well as exaggerated claims in interview-based research.
Iwilade further advised academics to focus on areas where they have developed long-term expertise, noting that this approach enhances intellectual growth, deepens research quality, and simplifies selecting suitable journals for publication.
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The associate professor of African Studies at the School of Social and Political Science delivered the remarks at the opening of a two-day scholarship review paper workshop organised under the African University Seminar Series (AUSS-Nigeria). The event, held at the University of Port Harcourt, was sponsored by the Social Sciences Research Council (SSRC) and the African Peacebuilding and Development Dynamics initiative.
He urged participants to prioritise producing high-quality, publishable research rather than concentrating solely on securing placements in high-impact journals.
"...if your approach is wanting to publish in highly rated journals, you have already missed the point; the approach should be, how do I do good scholarship, and publishing in those supposedly highly rated journals is actually the end of good scholarship. If you do good scholarship, publishing in the desired highly rated journals will not be a problem," he said.
In his opening remarks earlier, the Program Director of SSRC’s African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD), Dr. Cyril Obi, described the establishment of AUSS-NG last year as important. This occurred after over 100 years of the existence of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). He noted that "it is a global organization committed to advancing knowledge based on the deployment of social science in the service of the public good by promoting research, nurturing successive generations of social scientists across the world, facilitating informed dialogue, and connecting evidence-based research to policy and practice."
Obi, who attended the event, noted that the African Peacebuilding Network(APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen), rebranded last year as APDD, are the flagship SSRC programs in Africa, having provided over 840 fellowship awards to outstanding scholars and practitioners based in African universities and institutions.
"In this way, the program has contributed immensely to the professional development of Africa-based scholars, supporting them to produce high-quality and globally visible research, complete their doctoral studies, and transform their careers in ways that have also positively impacted higher education and shaped knowledge production and public policies across the continent."
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He noted that the Port Harcourt seminar was an offshoot of the earlier ones held in the AUSS Series in Kenya, South Africa and in Abuja in September last year, with the theme: “Reimagining Peace in Nigeria: Resilience, Reconciliation, Social Justice and everyday politics, and was meant to enable paper presenters from last year, to present drafts of their manuscripts, revise and finalize them for a planned publication under the rubric of the AUSS-NG Series."
He explained that participants at the workshop would "be exposed to the most up-to-date techniques of academic writing, receive constructive feedback on their manuscripts, and learn more about the strategies for publishing their work as a community of Nigerian APDD scholars committed to research excellence, knowledge production, and dissemination.
"It will provide visibility to their work and the impact of the APDD - supported research and mentorship on their professional careers," Obi said.
Corroborating Obi, a member of the local Organizing Committee, Dr. Jimam Tilar from the University of Jos, said the workshop was a paper review workshop, as participants had earlier been trained on the subject matter of Writing and Publishing Techniques during a workshop in Abuja.
He noted that the reason for choosing the topic of conflict in Nigeria for research was: "Conflict is a major issue in society, so in diving into the topic, it has to focus on problem-solving, peace-building, rather than dwelling on the known facts of conflicts in the country."
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Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chief Host and Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Qwunari George, commended the fellows and the organizers for inspiring the academics to write.
He noted that writing holds immense power and the ability to inform, inspire, educate, and transform lives.
He urged participants to focus on the training and learn from the experts who are already ahead of them.
