A student at the Clinton School of Public Service recently served as a lead facilitator for an international policy dialogue held at a foreign ambassador’s residence in Africa.
Oladotun Awosusi, a May graduate, joined a delegation of global experts from over 15 countries to develop new strategies for livelihood programming to address irregular migration and conflict in North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Central Africa.
Over spring break, Awosusi traveled to Tunis, Tunisia, to participate in “Updating Livelihood Programming in North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Central Africa.” The event was organized by Wilton Park, an executive agency of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and hosted at the British Ambassador’s residence.
Awosusi was the only expert from a United States higher education institution selected for the event, which brought together more than 40 policymakers, ambassadors, and representatives from the World Bank to design interventions for conflict, migration, and livelihood issues.
In a notable distinction, Awosusi was selected as one of only four facilitators for the entire program. In this role, he led a dialogue discussion focused on the complex intersection of conflict and migration.
“I felt very excited to use the skills I’ve acquired in my classes at the Clinton School,” Awosusi said. “My knowledge in Program Planning and Program Evaluation was particularly useful. I was able to provide a step-by-step approach to program planning and emphasize the essential need for a community-engaged approach to needs assessment, stakeholder analysis, and independent evaluation when developing these intervention initiatives.”
The dialogue resulted in a comprehensive report and set of recommendations for the region. Awosusi noted that the experience went beyond professional duty, offering a unique opportunity for cultural immersion and high-level networking with diplomats from across the world.
“Everything I applied during facilitation, like active listening and other communication skills, I learned in my classes here,” Awosusi said. “The organizers and participants were very impressed, and the experience has opened me up to different global opportunities in the UK, Kenya, and beyond.”
Global Policy Research Published in First Book
The success in Tunisia follows another major achievement for Awosusi: the publication of his first book, “Nigeria’s Border Diplomacy: Power and Hegemony in Africa,” co-authored with Olusola Ogunnubi. Published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis) in London in fall 2025 as part of the Global Development and Borderlands Studies series, the work is a novel contribution to the field.
The nearly 200-page book examines how Nigeria utilizes its land, sea, airspace, cyberspace, and outer space to advance its interest in relations with other African nations. While the research began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Awosusi completed the manuscript during his time at the Clinton School.
“It is very exciting to be a published author after five years of work,” Awosusi said. “This book is a novel contribution to scholarship, considering how actors in the international system can navigate various border domains to advance their interests.”
Awosusi’s academic momentum is continuing. His second book has already been accepted for publication by Palgrave Macmillan (Springer Nature) and is expected later this year.
Back in Arkansas, Awosusi is applying his expertise to his Capstone project, designing a fundraising implementation program for Global Ties Arkansas, a nonprofit that connects the Natural State with the rest of the world. Through his work in the field, Awosusi is using his skills to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical application of public service.