Professor of African Philosophy & Religious Traditions

Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, O.S.A.

FCA-Edu. · FIPAN · FSR · FIPMD · AFISMI · FIMC · CMC · FMERC · FAI

Pioneer philosopher of Igwebuike Philosophy and Founder of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS).

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Professor Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu in doctoral regalia Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies · Veritas University, Abuja

Meet Prof. Ikechukwu

Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, O.S.A., is a Professor of African Philosophy and Religious Traditions in the Department of Philosophy at Veritas University, Abuja, where he also serves as Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies. An Augustinian priest of the Order of Saint Augustine, Province of Saint Augustine of Nigeria, he is the pioneer philosopher of Igwebuike Philosophy and the Founder of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS).

A scholar of remarkable range, he holds three doctorates — in African Philosophy, in Religion and Human Relations, and in Climate Change and Sustainable Development — alongside master's degrees in philosophy, religion, theology and education. He is Editor-In-Chief of IGWEBUIKE: An African Journal of Arts and Humanities and of IGWEBUIKEPEDIA: Internet Encyclopedia of African Philosophy, and sits on the Governing Council of the Claretian Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa. A native of Arondizuogu, his work spans African science, philosophy, theology, religion and culture.

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Areas of Expertise

Igwebuike Philosophy

The Guiding Idea

To be a human being, you must relate to your environment — and know the things around you. To be and not know is not to be. Every human being wants to know, meaning that every human being cannot but research. This aspect of our humanity shows itself in the curiosity of a child who is always asking questions, becoming completely absorbed in the search for the truth, trying to make sense out of our complex world, making guesses and testing them, trying to understand his or her limits and the limits of the situations surrounding the child.

African Traditional Religion

Religion

Rated internationally as a scholar in the areas of African Metaphysics, African Bioethics and African Traditional Religion.

African Philosophy

Philosophy

Ranked among the foremost scholars of African Philosophy, surpassed only by Thaddeus Metz, the South African Distinguished Professor.

African Cultural Studies

Tradition

The most-rated scholar internationally on the Google Scholar indexing platform in the area of African Cultural Studies.

Teaching & Mentorship

Education

Years of experience teaching African Philosophy, African Traditional Religion and Cultural Studies, and mentoring the next generation of scholars.

Affiliations

Professor Kanu — Order of Saint Augustine
Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.), Nigeria
Professor Kanu — Commonwealth University London
Commonwealth University London (CUB)
Professor Kanu — Veritas University, Abuja
Veritas University, Abuja
Professor Kanu — Association for the Promotion of African Studies
Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS)
20+
Awards & Honours
60+
Books Published
450+
Research Papers
3,600+
Academic Citations
300+
Oral Presentations

In His Words

The future belongs to all of us, but only those who are able to foresee it and sacrifice the pleasures of the present gain it.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

There isn't anything of lasting value that does not have a price. Greatness has never been a product of convenience. The greatness of tomorrow begins from the sacrifice of today.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

The achievement of great things does not come simply because there is a feeling for it, but because of a series of steps, taken courageously, day in day out. Each step reveals a new horizon. The sum of it is called success.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

The world defines us, and sometimes negatively. Not believing in your own dignity or worth is the first fundamental step towards failure. Believing that your life has ultimate significance is the path towards unlimited achievement.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

Our value in life is not defined by pleasure but godliness; not influence but character; not money but virtue; not the applause of people but the approval of God. The future of humanity depends on where you stand.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

Everyone on earth has a map that he or she follows. Your relationship with a person should begin by knowing the content of his or her map. If you fall into the hands of those that don't have the capacity to increase you, they will eventually decrease you.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

Anyone who is prepared to partner with a person who is going nowhere should be prepared to go nowhere as well. If you dine with wolves you will learn how to howl; and if with eagles, you will soar to great heights.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.

The success of tomorrow stands on the shoulders of the sacrifices of today. There has never been a 'tomorrow' where 'today' did not first exist.

Prof. Kanu I. Anthony, O.S.A.