Religion, Ethnicity and Politics in Nigeria: Implication for National Integration

Abstract

Nigeria is a pluralistic society with multi-ethnic and multi-religious status. The dynamic Nigerian state and its many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups account for diverse political interests. Nigeria’s social and political structures are largely influenced by religion. Since independence, this development has persisted. “Who gets what, when, and how” is decided by the political class’s religious compass. Religion has helped politicians win votes in the past. Nigerians, particularly the ignorant and misinformed, vote based on religious affiliation. Hence, most Nigerian issues have religious undertone. Religion, ethnicity, and politics in Nigeria and their effects on national integration are examined in this research. The paper adopts qualitative research method, and employed descriptive methodology, with data obtained mainly from secondary sources. The findings revealed that religion, ethnicity and politics have hindered national integration, and recommends that Nigerians must foster a supranational consciousness, minimise their allegiance to their ethnic, regional, and religious groups, work to create a nation that all peoples, including majorities, minorities, and sub-minorities, can identify with by using our diversity, multi religiousness, and many identities, in favour of the Nigerian nation.