Biography
Toyosi Ajibade is a PhD student in the Security Studies Program at the University of Central Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and international studies from Osun State University Nigeria, and a master’s degree in political science from Ohio University. I focus on non-state armed groups, particularly militias, and their complex relationships with government authorities and local communities, with an emphasis on how these dynamics affect security systems in African countries.
My research explores the rise of militias within state security structures and the shifting roles these groups play as states grapple with internal challenges. I seek to examine how these interactions reshape governance, and security, especially in conflict and post-conflict settings. Additionally, I’m interested in exploring the factors influencing government reliance on militias, community perceptions of these groups, and how these dynamics impact state authority.