The secular, the sacred, and the space in between

In The Secular, the Sacred, and the Space in Between, Professor Olufunke Asake Adeboye offers a compelling exploration of the intersections between social history, religion, and cultural practices in Nigeria. Drawing on decades of research, the lecture situates the secular domain—political elites, economic ingenuity, health, and mortality—alongside the sacred sphere of religious traditions and practices, while emphasizing the dynamic “in-between” space where both realms converge. Adeboye’s analysis of Ibadan’s elite networks, mortuary practices, politically motivated suicides, and communal celebrations reveals how historical actors negotiated power, honour, and identity within shifting colonial and postcolonial contexts. By integrating multidisciplinary perspectives from sociology, theology, gender studies, and political science, the work underscores the historiographical value of examining secular and sacred paradigms not as isolated categories but as interconnected terrains shaping societal transformation. This inaugural lecture contributes significantly to African social history, offering a roadmap for future scholarship on the negotiation of values, traditions, and modernity in urban and religious life.