The idea of religion is about the mortality of man and the belief in a supreme being or deity who is understood as having the power to control all that happens to man while on earth. Although a minute proportion practice the traditional religion, the vast majority of Nigerians adhere to either the Christian and Islamic faith.
The advent of Islam in Nigeria is traceable to the Trans-Saharan trade which opened the northern part of the country to the Arab, North African and Berber traders whose main religion is Islam. These traders propagated their wares as well as their faith. On the other hand, it is the activities of European explorers and the Christian missions such as the Roman Catholic missions, Sudan Interior Missions and Wesleyan Missions that led to the introduction of Christianity into the southern and later, the central Nigeria. Today, there exist several Christian denominations such as Evangelicals, Protestants, Catholics, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Baptists, Aladura and Grail Movement. For Islam, Nigerians are predominantly Sunni, belonging to the Maliki School of jurisprudence, although a reasonable Shiites as well Ahmadiyya brotherhood adherents exist.
The amalgamation of the country in 1914 by the colonizers merged the north with the south and fused the two faiths to be practiced within one entity. However, history and experience has shown that this fusion is more theoretical than practical as in terms of unity and common brotherhood, the adherents of these two religions have remained disparate. Thus amalgamation only brought the land mass together, but not the people and suspicion between adherents remain rife.
From the amalgamation to date, the population of religious adherents has grown in leaps and in bounds. The large number of adherents and the concomitant often questionable leadership has today created a lot of problems for our society such as by how religious leaders polarize adherents through inciting speeches and incorrect teachings occasioning distrust among citizens, insecurity and ultimately loss of lives and properties. This occurs on inter-religious, intra-denominational as well as inter-denominational levels. From the first recorded religious upset witnessed in Nigeria as far back as 1953 to date, this ominous cycle of insecurity and violence has continued unabatedly; with the government unable to terminate it.
Politicians and the kind of politics they play are also key impetus for this religious disharmony. Dami (2017) has submitted that political leaders have exploited the citizenry by using religious gimmicks to keep the citizens in check. Political patronage and policies are often tainted with religious bias. Before and during elections and even during governance, politicians routinely and lavishly employ religion to achieve their political aims. The introduction of the Sharia criminal legal system between 2000 and 2002 in some states of northern Nigeria were Islam predominate, generally seen as a political and not a religious decision, further deepened the fissure and suspicion between Christians and Muslims in those states and larger Nigerian society. This is proof that political decisions by those in government can and have exacerbated the situation. No wonder some Christian leaders have advocated for and the National Assembly has made some moves towards the establishment of ecclesiastical courts in Nigeria. In my considered opinion, there is no rational basis for the establishment of such a court and the calls and moves in that regard should be terminated.
No doubt, Nigerians have displayed burning passion and unquantifiable enthusiasm to issues pertaining to the religion they profess. However, this deep sentiments and emotions have had little positive influence on both the adherents and the society at large. The zeal is often put to negative use as far as societal cohesion and development is concerned. This pathetic situation is akin to a lady who proclaims virginity, yet is heavily pregnant. The wrong impression that westernization is coterminous with Christianity or that violence is congruent with Islam needs to be corrected by proper orientation and education. Government, civil societies as well as religious bodies have a duty, nay a legal, duty to ensure that bridges of unity, cohesion and solidarity exist between and among religions. By so doing, the issue of violent extremism and indoctrination will be checked and lasting peace maintained in the country. This is also the path to greater development for the benefit and welfare of all.

Manang Joshua Jabbe, ESQ
08134069256
[email protected]
Civil, social, political analyst; human and minority rights crusader

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RELIGION: A CENTRIFUGAL FORCE IN NIGERIA – Manang Joshua Jabbe, ESQ