Afe Adogame, a Professor of Religion and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary, has emphasized the need for Nigerian universities and researchers to adopt interdisciplinary research and collaboration to address the country's security challenges. Speaking at the 2026 conference of the African Universities Seminar Series Nigeria, Adogame highlighted the importance of generating knowledge to understand the complex factors driving conflicts and violence in Nigeria. He noted that the country's insecurity cannot be adequately explained from a single academic discipline.
Adogame's keynote address, titled 'Holy Violence, Unholy Embrace: The Intersection of Religious Conflict and Insecurity,' stressed that researchers should examine the political, economic, religious, social, historical, and structural dimensions of insecurity. He argued that no single theory or approach can explain the variety of conflicts and violence in Nigeria. Adogame called for researchers to move beyond disciplinary boundaries and investigate both the immediate and remote causes of security challenges.
The professor used kidnapping as an example, stating that scholars need to examine its historical evolution and the endogenous and exogenous factors responsible for its persistence. He also urged researchers to pay greater attention to case studies and local contexts, noting that similar conflicts can have different meanings and manifestations in different communities. Adogame emphasized that context matters and that scholars should study specific cases before drawing broader theoretical conclusions.
Adogame's call for interdisciplinary research was echoed by other speakers at the conference. Cyril Obi, Director of the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics Programme, announced a proposed national entity comprising former and current APDD fellows. The initiative aims to build a stronger scholarly community focused on peace, development, and security. Obi stated that the entity will facilitate collaboration among Nigerian and other African scholars and practitioners.
The conference, hosted by the Institute for African and Diaspora Studies at the University of Lagos, had the theme 'Citizenship, Belonging and Geographies of Conflict in Contemporary Nigeria.' The event brought together scholars and researchers to discuss the complexities of conflict and insecurity in Nigeria. The conference also highlighted the role of academic networks in strengthening research capacity and contributing to national development.
Dr. Joyce Agofure, Co-Chair of AUSS-NG, noted that the conference was designed to deepen understanding of the different dimensions of conflict and explore ways of transforming conflicts and building sustainable peace. The conference provided a platform for scholars to share their research and expertise on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria. The event also featured discussions on the role of academic networks in promoting peace and development.
The conference concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to address Nigeria's security challenges. The speakers emphasized the need for interdisciplinary research and collaboration to develop effective solutions to the country's complex security problems. The initiative is expected to contribute to scholarly publications and policy development, ultimately promoting peace and development in Nigeria and beyond.
Key points
- Afe Adogame calls for interdisciplinary research to address Nigeria's complex security challenges
- Conference highlights the role of academic networks in strengthening research capacity and contributing to national development
- Proposed national entity aims to build a stronger scholarly community focused on peace, development, and security
