Universities Must Deepen Interdisciplinary Research to Address Nigeria’s Insecurity, Says Adogame
Funmi Ogundare A Professor of Religion and Society at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, United States, Afe Adogame, has called on Nigerian universities and researchers to deepen interdisciplinary research and
Professor Funmi Ogundare, a religious studies scholar from Princeton Theological Seminary, urged Nigerian universities to engage in more interdisciplinary research to better understand and tackle the nation's security issues. This call came during the 2026 conference of the African Universities Seminar Series Nigeria (AUSS-NG) hosted by the University of Lagos.
The conference focused on the theme 'Citizenship, Belonging and Geographies of Conflict in Contemporary Nigeria.' Ogundare, speaking in his keynote address titled 'Holy Violence, Unholy Embrace: The Intersection of Religious Conflict and Insecurity,' emphasized that no single academic discipline can fully explain the variety of conflicts and violence in the country.
He stressed the importance of examining conflicts through political, economic, religious, social, historical, and structural lenses. Ogundare cited kidnapping as an example, urging researchers to consider its historical roots and the factors contributing to its ongoing presence. He also advocated for more attention to case studies and local contexts, arguing that similar conflicts can have different implications across communities.
For this to happen, Ogundare called for stronger collaboration among scholars across disciplines, institutions, and geographical locations. The conference also highlighted the potential of academic networks to boost research capacity and contribute to national development. Cyril Obi, the director of the Social Science Research Council's African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics program, proposed the creation of a national entity of former and current APDD fellows to foster a stronger scholarly community dedicated to peace, development, and security.
This initiative aims to facilitate collaboration among Nigerian and other African scholars and practitioners, enhancing research expertise and contributing to scholarly publications and policy development. The conference aimed to deepen the understanding of conflict dimensions and explore ways to transform conflicts and build sustainable peace.
Dr. Joyce Agofure, the co-chair of AUSS-NG and an English lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, emphasized the need for inclusive governance, responsible institutions, and community participation in addressing conflict causes. She stressed that the gathering was especially relevant given Nigeria's ongoing security challenges. Professor Jimam Lar, an associate professor at the University of Jos, called for a reevaluation of citizenship education and national integration, advocating for residency as the basis for accessing rights and opportunities nationwide.
Lar cautioned against politicizing ethnicity and urged Nigeria to harness its cultural diversity as a strength rather than a source of division and conflict.
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