Religious freedom and its limitations under the 1999 constitution of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper critically reviewed the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria on freedom of religion and its limitations as a result of the long history of religious  tensions Nigeria has witnessed particularly between the two major religious groups,  Christians and Muslims and as a result of the violence created constantly by the Boko Haram which desires to Islamize the country. It has caused many deaths, created  internally displaced people and a pall of anxiety all over the country. 250 Chibok girls still remain missing. The review was done with a view to finding the adequacy of the provision of the Constitution in guaranteeing freedom of religion. Insight was drawn  from international legal instrument on the subject. The finding is that the constitutional provisions are adequate in themselves for arresting religious extremism as they are in tandem with the provisions of many international legal instruments. However, the  repudiation of the supremacy of the Constitution by Islamic law withdraws the  commitment of many Muslims to the provisions of the Constitution on freedom of  religion. Internal reform is recommended for Muslims to bring Islamic law to accept the supremacy of the Constitution.

Key words: Freedom of religion, limitations, 1999 Nigerian Constitution, Supremacy of Constitution