5 - Religious Identities

Summary

There is a resurgence of national controversies that are birthed by religious beliefs and shielded under the enclave of theocratic identities. While these groups have an ultimate desire to control the sociocultural and socioeconomic life of the country, they have in the process enhanced internal divisions because of their competition for recognition and relevance. Consequently, the activities of the various religious identities in the country have attracted travails and encouraged conflicts and violence. Under the current system and sociopolitical arrangements, it appears that religious identities have come to occupy a comfortable position in the Nigerian environment where they continue to dictate the social and economic trajectories of the country. To therefore understand the future of Nigeria in relation to religious identities, the chapter argues that the country's different religious groups have contributed significantly to the challenges and development situation of the country.