Professor Adebajo has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to sharing South African and African histories, value systems, philosophies, and art through creative non-fiction literature, as seen in his recent book, The Black Atlantic’s Triple Burden: Slavery, Colonialism, and Reparations (Jacana Media, 2024). The work reflects his characteristic blend of rigorous scholarship and accessible prose, offering readers deep insights into Africa’s political, intellectual, and cultural landscapes.

The volume is authored by a multi-disciplinary, pan-continental group encompassing diverse subjects. This collection is concise and comprehensive, enabling cross-regional comparisons to be drawn, and ensuring that some of the most important global events of the past five centuries are read from diverse perspectives.

Professor Adebajo exemplifies a deep commitment to championing Pan-African literature and unity. Through his writing, he continues to transcend geographic boundaries and contribute to a broader African literary renaissance. His work has been described by peers and critics as meticulous, incisive, yet ultimately optimistic in reimagining and reframing Africa through a decolonial lens that challenges Eurocentric and stereotypical perceptions of the continent’s challenges and possibilities.

A prolific and passionate scholar, Professor Adebajo is the author of ten books and the editor of co-editor of eleven volumes, including Building Peace in West Africa (Lynn Rieneer Publishers, 2002); Africa's Peacemakers: Nobel Peace Laureates of African Descent (Zed Books, 2014); The Eagle and the Springbok: Essays on Nigeria and South Africa (Fanele, 2017); The Pan-African Pantheon: Prophets, Poets, and Philosophers (Jacana Media, 2020); Global Africa: Profiles in Courage, Creativity, and Cruelty (Routledge, 2024) and The Splendid Tapestry of African Life: Essays on a Resilient Continent, its Diaspora and the World (Routledge, 2025). 

Founded in 2005 in association with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, the South African Literary Awards celebrate literary excellence across a range of genres, honouring writers who have enriched South Africa’s literary heritage and advanced dialogue through the written word. The winners and runners-up will be honoured at a ceremony on November 11, 2025, at the Roodepoort Theatre and Museum in Florida Park.

Professor Adebajo’s inclusion on the shortlist underscores the impact of his writing in bridging academic analysis with broader public discourse. 

The University of Pretoria and the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship extend warm congratulations to Professor Adebajo on this well-deserved recognition and wish him every success at the awards ceremony.