Consequent to the announcement published on the website of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) of winners of the 2023/2024 CODESRIA’s Meaning-making Research Initiatives (MRI) competition, the quartet of DIaDeRC team members, led by the Programmes and Partnership Lead, Dr. Judith I. Ani, participated in the prestigious CODESRIA Meaning-making Research Initiatives (MRI) Methodology and Scholarly Writing Workshop held at Dakar, Senegal, from 16-20 September 2024.
The quartet-winning proposal, “Climate Change-Induced Flooding: Implications for Income and Food Security among Female Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria”, was one of 14 proposals selected from numerous submissions. This significant achievement reflects the team’s dedication to addressing the intersection of gender and climate change, with a specific focus on how climate-induced flooding disproportionately affects the livelihoods of female smallholder farmers. The research aims to provide practical, policy-relevant recommendations to enhance climate resilience among these vulnerable groups.


The Methodology and Scholarly Writing Workshop provided valuable opportunities to enhance MRI winners on expected research methodologies, writing skills, and project design, with a view to ensuring the robustness of proposals and alignment with CODESRIA’s thematic priorities.
During the workshop, scholars were introduced to the resource persons who will guide their projects through completion. Participants also gained insights into African epistemologies, expanded their research knowledge, and built connections with fellow scholars.
In addition, team members from DIaDeRC were actively involved and participated in group and team activities throughout the workshop, where they contributed in various roles and capacities. For instance, Dr. Oluwayemisi K. Adeleke served as a Rapporteur during a group presentation, while Dr. Judith I. Ani took on the role of Rapporteur during a resource-person presentation. Furthermore, Dr. Ani was part of a roundtable discussion with laureates on the theme “Rethinking African Scholarship in Complex Times: Possibilities and Challenges.” Their involvement showcased their commitment and added significant value to the workshop.


Beyond the in-class activities, members had the pleasure of exploring the beautiful city of Dakar, which is renowned for its tourist attractions. In other words, the workshop was not just an academic pursuit; it also offered a chance to explore Dakar’s rich culture. The DIaDeRC team visited the Museum of Black Civilisations (Musée des civilisations noires), recognized by Time magazine as one of the “World’s 100 Greatest Places of 2019.” This museum beautifully encapsulates Africa’s rich history, science, antiquities and heritage, and its exhibits connect the past and present of Black people across the globe.
A visit to the iconic African Renaissance Monument (Monument de la Renaissance Africaine), further underscored the resilience and strength of African people. The 52-meter (171 ft)-tall bronze statue, located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelle, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, serves as a symbol of hope and a reminder of the sacrifices made by African heroes. An inscription at the foot of the statue enjoins tourists to think about the resilience of the people whose sacrifice brought about the African Renaissance. As the team climbed the 180 stairs to the monument, they reflected on the importance of resilience—a value that aligns with their research efforts aimed at contributing to Africa’s development.
The Methodology and Scholarly Writing Workshop in Dakar, Senegal, was part of the execution phase of the grants won by scholars on the platform of CODESRIA.

