RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY AND POLITICS IN NIGERIA: THREAT TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Poverty, death, underdevelopment, and crisis as well as a host of other societal challenges have no religion, rather the players in the society do. Political and religious lifestyle have featured severally in Nigeria‘s economic development, whether in the context of Christianity or Islam.
The prevalent religions practice in Nigeria include Christianity, Islam, and traditional worshippers. The two major religion – Christianity and Islam have played vital roles in the disposition and development of the country, depending on the level of manipulation they received. This paper is focusing on the political manipulation and the impact on development.
The paper uses secularism theory to analyze how religious manipulation affect the development of Nigeria. In conclusion, the paper recommends the shifting from the umbrella of religion to the acceptance of the existence of humanity first, respect for human relation that sees the good and gains of each other which will harness the resources of each region irrespective of its religious practice for greater development.