The lecture, titled “Of Selfies and Grand Humanity: Farming the Flipside of History,” drew a large audience of academics, students, and invited guests, all eager to engage with Professor Decker’s fresh and unconventional interpretation of self-expression, identity, and human existence.
In a richly layered presentation, Professor Decker, an authority in African Social History and Everyday Life, challenged the notion that selfies are merely a fleeting social media fad. Instead, he situated the phenomenon within a long historical continuum of human self-representation, linking today’s digital self-portraits to ancient artefacts such as Nok terracotta masks, the iconic image of Queen Idia of Benin, and celebrated European works including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
According to him, the human desire to be seen, remembered, and celebrated has always been central to civilisation.
“Self-admiration and self-representation are not inventions of the digital age,” he explained. “They are deeply rooted in humanity’s psycho-archaeological and cultural history.”
Professor Decker further examined how contemporary platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn shape modern perceptions of identity and self-worth, arguing that social media has merely amplified an age-old human instinct rather than created a new one.
The lecture, which combined history, culture, and technology, reinforced UNIOSUN’s reputation as a centre for critical scholarship and innovative thinking, where traditional disciplines engage meaningfully with modern realities.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Decker expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, stressing the need for society to retain a strong sense of shared humanity amid rapid technological advancement. He also acknowledged the support of the University management and colleagues throughout his academic career.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, described Professor Babatunde J. Decker as a renowned historian and a foremost authority in African Social History and Everyday Life.
According to him, the inaugural lecturer has distinguished himself through rigorous scholarship and outstanding contributions that illuminate everyday human experiences within historical contexts.
Professor Adebooye congratulated Professor Decker on the successful delivery of the 28th Inaugural Lecture of the University, noting that the lecture reflected the depth, relevance, and interdisciplinary strength that UNIOSUN upholds in its academic tradition.
The Vice-Chancellor further charged the inaugural lecturer to ensure that a comprehensive and accurate history of Osun State University is documented, stressing the importance of preserving the institution’s historical narrative for posterity before the end of his tenure as Vice-Chancellor.
“This lecture exemplifies the kind of scholarship we encourage at Osun State University—research that connects history with contemporary realities and deepens our understanding of humanity,” Professor Adebooye said.