Dimension of Religious Violence and Its Antecedent Effects on National Integration and Social Development in Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
It is reasonable to believe that the majority of believers believe that social harmony is fostered and guaranteed by “true” religion. Contrariwise, one might virtually conclude that most violent conflicts in the world had their roots in religion. This study undertakes analytical inquiry into the dimension of religious violence in Nigeria with a special focus on its antecedent effects on national integration and social development. Relative deprivation theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of the paper. The instrument of study was survey method relied on descriptive research design. The chi-square approach was employed to assess the reliability of the hypothesis and the questionnaire. Drawing from the findings; security challenges, disintegration of Nigeria society, wanton destruction of lives and properties, economic decadence and political instability among others are few of the havoc done by religious violence in Nigeria. The paper concluded by recommending setting up of religious advisory body, teaching of genuine doctrine, entrenchment of interfaith strategies in the school curriculum, exhibition of attitude of religious tolerance and continued dialogue among the various religious bodies. Addressing the challenges of poverty and mass unemployment by the government is also sacrosanct.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Adebayo, R. I. (2003). Religion and national unity: the gap between theory and practice. Ado Journal of Religions, 2(2).
Adebayo, R. I. (2010). Ethno-religious crises and the challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(4), 213-225.
Adedeji, A. O. (2022a). Leadership and culture of violence and its implication on the sustainable development of Nigeria. Journal of Social Responsibility, Tourism and Hospitality, 3(1), 8-21. https://doi.org/10.55529/jsrth.31.8.21
Adedeji, A. O. (2022b). Combating the terrorism of Boko Haram in Nigeria: political and military approach. In Proceedings of Texila 8th World Conference for Scholars on “Embracing Change & Transformation-Breakthrough Innovation and Creativity Leading Change, Re-engagement”. https://doi.org/10.21522/TIJAR.2014.SE.22.01.Art016
Adedeji, A. O. (2023). An appraisal of violence against women in the 21st century Nigeria: gender perspective. Journal of Women Empowerment and Studies, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.55529/jwes.31.1.10
Adedeji, A. O. (2024). The emergence and the rise of the terrorism of Boko Haram in Nigeria and its implication on the national development. Global International Journal of Innovative Research, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.59613/global.v2i2.72
Adesoji, A. A. (2011). Between maitatsine and Boko Haram: Islamic fundamentalism and the response of the Nigerian state. Africa Today, 57(4), 98-119.
Achunike, H. C. (2008). Religious practices in Nigeria as source of social conflict. Journal of Liberal Studies, 12(1&2), 286-295.
Afegbua, A. (2010). Conflicts and political instability in Nigeria: causes, consequences and prospects. Journal of Social Sciences and Public Policy, 2, 10-18.
Aliyu, A. (1996). Perspective of poverty alleviation programme in Nigeria and the way forward. Abuja, family economic advancement programme. Daily Times, Nov. 18.1984.
Ashaka, K. (2001). “Kaduna boils again as Churches are set ablaze” National Interest. Lagos: The Nation Newspaper Printing Press.
Balogun, K. A. (1988). Religious intolerance as a source of national disintegration. In: Mala, Sam B. (Ed.) Religion and national unity. Ibadan, University Press.
Boer, J. H. (2002). Nigeria’s decades of blood. Jos: Stream Christian Publishers.
Boer, J. H. (2004). Christian: Why this Muslim violence? Essence Publishing.
Canci, H., & Odukoya, O.A. (2016). Ethnic and religious crises in Nigeria: a specific analysis upon identities (1999–2013). African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 16(1), 87–110. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajcr/article/view/144735
El-Mahdi, A. (2001) Religion and national integration. Nigeria Institute of International Affair Lecture Series No 76, NIIA, Lagos.
Ekwenife, A. (1991). Politics and religion intolerance: The Nigerian Situation. In Religion and politics in Nigeria. Spiritan Publications.
Eme, K. U. (2012). Government as fuel for religious crisis in Nigeria. In S. O. Anyanwu, and I. U. Nwanaju, (Eds.), Boko Haram and terrorism: Religious Conflicts and Dialogue Initiatives in Nigeria Enugu (pp. 195).
Fawole, O. A., & Bello, M. L. (2011). The impact of ethno-religious conflict on Nigerian federalism. International NGO Journal Vol. 6(10), 211-218.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999). Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Promulgation Decree), no. 24 of 1999 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for windows step by step: A simple guide and reference (4th edition). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Ghanea, N. (2015). Driving while Bahá’í: A typology of religious discrimination. The Equal Rights Review, 14. https://www.equalrightstrust.org/sites/default/files/ertdocs/Ghanea.pdf
Horii, M. (2017). Contextualizing “religion” of young Karl Marx: A preliminary analysis. Critical Research on Religion, 5(2), 170-187. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050303217690897
Mu’azzam, I., & Ibrahim, J. (2000). Religious identity in the context of structural adjustment in Nigeria. In A. Jega (Ed.) Identity Transformation and Identity Politics under Structural Adjustment in Nigeria. Kano: The Centre for Research and Documentation.
Igbuzor, O. (2011). Peace and security education: a critical factor for sustainable peace and national development. International Journal of Peace and Development Studies, 1, 1-7.
Iloanya, K. O, Nduka, C. N., & Okoye, J. N. (2019). Effect of ethno-religious conflicts on Nigerian nation-building. International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management, 6(2), 244-257.
Juergensmeyer, M. (1993). The New Cold War?. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
World Council of Churches (2002). The final statement on religion and violence. St. Petersburg, FL: Eckerd College.
Juergensmeyer, M (2001). Terror in the mind of God: The global rise of religious violence. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Komonchak, J. A., Collins, M., & Lane D.A. (1996). The new dictionary of theology. Collegeville, MN: the Liturgical Press.
Jegede, O. P. (2019). Implications of religious conflicts on peace, national security and development in Nigeria. Ilorin Journal of Religious Studies, 9(1), 53-70.
Lubeck, P. M. (1985). Islamic protest under semi-industrial capitalism. In J. K. Olupona & T. Falola (Eds) Religion and Society in Nigeria: Historical and Sociological Perspectives. Ibadan, Spectrum Books Ltd.
Nwabughuogu, A. I. (2009). Problems of nation building in Africa. Okigwe: Fasmen Communications.
Ogwuche, O. J., Nwaneri, S. I., & Opara, U. A. (2023). Ethno-religious conflict and national integration in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and way forward. International Journal of Advanced Research in Global Politics, Governance and Management, 4(1). DOI: 10.48028/iiprds/ijargpgm.v4.i1.11
Ojo, E. O. (2010). A survey of ethno-religious crisis and its implications for Nigeria’s nascent democracy. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(2). https://jsd-africa.com/Jsda/V12No2_Spring2010_B/PDF/A%20Survey%20of%20Ethno-Religions%20Crisis.pdf
Okpanachi, E. (2010). Ethno-religious identity and conflict in northern Nigeria. Institute de Recherche francais en Afrique.
Okwueze, M. I. (1995). Religious problems and conflicts in Nigeria revisited: Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences. Enugu: Acena Publishers.
Omotosho, A. O. (2003). Religious violence in Nigeria – the causes and solutions: An Islamic Perspective. Swedish Missiological Theme.
Osaghae E. E. (2009). A History of identities, violence, and stability in Nigeria. http://www.crise. ox.uk/pubs/workingpaper6.pdf
Osaghae, E. E., & Suberu, R. T. (2005). A history of identities, violence, and stability. In Nigeria Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity, Working paper No. 6.
Otto, R. (1959). The concept of the holy. London.
Salawu, B. (2010). Ethno-Religious conflicts in Nigeria: causal analysis and proposals for new management strategies. European Journal of Social Sciences, 13(3), 345-352. https://gisf.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/0071-Salawu-2010-Nigeria-ethno-religious-conflict.pdf
Sampson, I. T. (2012). Religious Violence in Nigeria: Causal Diagnosis and Strategic Recommendations to the State and Religious Communities. African Journal of Conflict Resolution, 12, 103-133.
Sani, S. (2011). Boko Haram:History, Ideas and Revolt. Newsdiary online. https://newsdiaryonline.com/shehu_boko_haram.htm
Sanusi, A. (2009). Religious-based violence and national security in Nigeria: case studies of Kaduna state and the Taliban activities in Kebbi state. Master of Military Art and Science.
Soyinka, W. (1991). The cradle of being and nothingness. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.
Szrom, C., & Harnisch, C. (2012). Al Qaeda’s operating environments. American Enterprise Institute.
Wellman, J. K., & Tokunbo, K. (2004). Is religious violence inevitable? Journal of Scientific Study of Religion, 43, 291. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5906.2004.00234.x