Current Trends in Religious Studies in Nigeria (Volume Four)

Current Trends in Religious Studies in Nigeria (Volume Four) continues the intellectual journey begun in the earlier volumes of this series: to document, interrogate, and advance scholarly conversations on religion in Nigeria from distinctly African perspectives. This volume brings together research on biblical interpretation, African Traditional Religion, Christianity, Islam, pastoral care, peacebuilding, gender, digital technology, public health, and the changing forms of religious authority in Nigerian society. The chapters in this collection reflect the breadth and vitality of Religious Studies in Nigeria today. They demonstrate that religion is not merely a private or doctrinal matter; it is deeply woven into language, culture, family life, public ethics, conflict, healing, leadership, education, and national development. The contributors approach these subjects with scholarly rigour, contextual sensitivity, and a shared commitment to knowledge that serves African communities. This volume is also shaped by the growing imperative to decolonize African thought and align religious studies scholarship with the vision of the National Universities Commission’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). The CCMAS encourages university education that is relevant to societal needs, grounded in local realities, and capable of preparing graduates for contemporary challenges. In this spirit, the volume foregrounds African languages, indigenous religious heritage, contextual hermeneutics, and the lived experiences of Nigerian communities as legitimate sources of academic inquiry. We are especially grateful to Professor Afolorunso Dairo, who graciously accepted our invitation to write the Foreword at very short notice. His willingness to support this project, despite the limited time available, reflects both his generosity of spirit and his longstanding commitment to scholarship in Religious Studies. His Foreword provides a thoughtful entrance into the volume and situates its concerns within the wider task of advancing relevant, contextual, and decolonized religious scholarship in Nigeria. We deeply appreciate his time, insight, and encouragement. My sincere appreciation also goes to my co-editors, whose dedication, scholarly judgement, and administrative support made this volume possible. Their collaboration in soliciting chapters, coordinating submissions, reviewing drafts, and sustaining the series' vision has been invaluable. This book is the product of shared labour, patient dialogue, and a common conviction that Nigerian religious scholarship deserves a strong and visible platform. We warmly thank the reviewers, who gave their time and expertise to assess the manuscripts. Their constructive comments, critical questions, and careful recommendations strengthened the quality, clarity, and academic integrity of the chapters. Peer review remains one of the most important, though often least visible, services in scholarly publishing, and we are grateful for their commitment to excellence. Above all, we thank the contributors. Their willingness to research, write, revise, and share their work has made this volume possible. Each chapter represents not only individual scholarship but also a contribution to a larger conversation about the meaning, practice, and future of religion in Nigeria. The diversity of their backgrounds, methods, and interests enriches the volume and demonstrates the dynamism of Religious Studies as a discipline. Each chapter number is prefixed by the acronym “AOBOBP”, representing the first letter of the editors' surnames plus “book project”. That is, Afolaranmi, Olulowo, Bamgbose and Olaoba Book Project. Finally, we dedicate this volume to scholars, students, religious leaders, and communities across Nigeria who continue to ask difficult questions, preserve indigenous knowledge, interpret sacred traditions responsibly, and work for peace, justice, and human flourishing. May this book encourage further research, deeper dialogue, and a more confident assertion of African intellectual agency in the study of religion. Adebayo Ola AFOLARANMI, PhD, JP, FSASS, MNASR Department of Religious and Intercultural Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria