Nigerian human rights activist and lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Fletcher School’s prestigious Paddock Teaching Award in recognition of his contributions to the teaching profession.

The Paddock Teaching Award is a yearly award established in 1993 in memory of Professor James Paddock, honouring individuals with exceptional teaching, deep subject mastery, and a sustained commitment to students. 

Nominees for the award are selected by students before being endorsed by Student Council, making it one of the most revered honours in The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, a leading institution for global affairs.

“Congratulations to Leir-affiliated faculty member Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu for being selected as this year’s recipient of The Fletcher School at Tufts University’s Paddock Teaching Award. Established in 1993 in memory of Professor James L. Paddock, the award recognizes faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, a passion for their subject, and a deep commitment to students,” said Henry J. Leir Institute for Migration and Human Security, in a LinkedIn post. 

The institute noted that the award, based on student nominations and selected by the Student Council, “is a meaningful reflection of the student experience and a deserved recognition” of Mr Odinkalu’s “outstanding teaching and strong engagement with the Fletcher community”.

The former chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission joins other previous notable winners of the award, including Michael J. Glennon, Dyan Mazurana and Carolyn Gideon.