Obioma Nnaemeka


Obioma Nnaemeka is a Nigerian-American academic. She is the Chancellor’s Professor of French at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

Education

Born in Agulu, Nigeria, Nnaemeka earned her BA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she studied African Studies, French and German. In 1989 she obtained her PhD in French and Francophone studies from the University of Minnesota.

Academic interests

Before arriving at Indiana University, Nnaemeka taught at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and at The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. She is a board member of the Global Women’s Leadership Center at the Leavey School of Business.
Nnaemeka is interested in black women writers, feminist theory, transitional feminism, Francophone literatures, the oral and written works of Africans and the African diaspora, as well as gender and human rights. Gender-studies scholar Opportune Zongo wrote in 1996 that "he power of Nnaemeka's work lies in her clear vision, superb intellect, excellent command of language, good sense of humor, and profound knowledge of the African landscape." She developed the idea of "nego-feminism as a term that names African feminisms." This bases itself around the family and complementarity, rather than individual interests.

Service

While at the University of Minnesota in pursuit of her PhD, Dr. Nnaemeka was the President of the Nigerian Students Association and was also active in the International Student Council. Additionally, Dr. Nnaemeka is the founder and president of the Association of African Women Scholars, as well as the President and CEO of the Jessie Obidiegwu Education Fund, an NGO dedicated to the education of women and girls in Africa. Combining her interests in research and teaching, Dr. Nnaemeka has consulted with various international agencies and academic institutions, including the United Nations and the World Bank.

Awards and positions