Religious violence: Implications for nation building

Abstract

Religious violence in Nigeria has devaluated our national economy. Any interested observer of the Nigeria socio-political structure is all too easily aware of the multiplicity of voices and the diversity of cultures within the one nation. Nigeria has one of the highest ethnic nationalities to be found in one single nation in the World. Religious pluralism in Nigeria has been disrupted by religiously motivated conflict. And to add to this is also Colonial policies towards Muslim and Christian communities which has institutionalized racial and religious differences with far-reaching consequences before and after independence. Religious fundamentalism, intolerance, fanaticism and local rivalries among Christians and Muslims noticeably emerged in Nigeria during the 1970s. Most of Nigerian's inter-religious forums have responded to religious conflict only after it has escalated into violence. This paper confirms that this is a cankerworm that impeded nation-building. Based on this recommendations are made.