Dr. Pedi Obani

Biography

Dr. Pedi Obani is an expert in climate change governance, just transition, gender equality and the human rights to water and sanitation. She has significant experience in research, academic programme design, research and policy advisory on these themes. Her primary focus is to bridge the gap between sustainability science, policy and implementation to advance justice and inclusion at both global and local levels. She advances synergies between theory and practice through her teaching, research and wider engagement. Pedi has authored high impact academic articles, book chapters and monographs, and she has presented her research at various international conferences. 

In 2024, Pedi was awarded the UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship for a four-year study to develop frameworks for gender inclusive climate change governance through collaborative approaches. Pedi has previously received other prestigious national and international research grants and awards, including those from the Global Challenges Research Fund, the NUFFIC Netherlands Fellowship Programme, the Nigeria Tertiary Education Trust Fund, and the United Kingdom African Studies Association Mary Kingsley Zochonis Fellowship. 

Since 2012, Pedi has worked in the higher education sector, and she has garnered extensive experience leading both on campus and distance learning programmes, teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and supervising PhD students. She has a strong track record of collaborations across the arts, humanities and sciences involving diverse communities of practice in various countries. She is also experienced in interdisciplinary funding applications and review processes, mentoring, and leadership.

Before starting her academic career, Pedi qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was active in private law practice. Between 2019 and 2020, she was the United Nations University – Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) Research Fellow in Environmental Policy. In this role, she developed and led a workstream on knowledge for quality natural resource governance, with specific focus on climate change-related stranded assets risks in Africa. 

Pedi is an Affiliate of the African Academy of Sciences. Graduating with distinction from the University of Aberdeen, Pedi subsequently obtained her PhD from the University of Amsterdam. She holds membership of professional associations, is an editor for reputable academic journals, and is a trustee and board member for various third sector organisations. Pedi is also actively involved in local community governance.