RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS AND NATIONAL SECURITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Religious conflicts have become a reoccurring decimal in Nigeria and have continued to negatively impact on the country’s economic, political and social landscape. These conflicts are propelled by a variety of causes, including religious intolerance, theological disagreements, fanaticism, poverty amongst others and the desire for dominance among religious groups, particularly between Christians and Muslims. Historically, Nigeria’s complex religious structure has led to tensions, exacerbated by colonial amalgamation and political manipulation, which often instigates these conflicts. This paper focuses on the link between religious conflict and national security in Nigeria and its implication for community development. The paper revealed that religious violence disrupts economic activities, creates political instability, and fractures social cohesion, which leads to significant losses for businesses and communities and increases the level of poverty in various communities. It often manifests in violent confrontations between Muslims and Christians, especially in regions where there is a significant religious divide, such as the Northern and Southern regions of the country. These conflicts undermine national security by threatening the stability and development of the country, as resources are diverted towards the restoration of order rather than developmental advancement. It is, therefore, obvious that this issue poses a serious challenge to Nigeria’s development goals, necessitating coordinated and collaborative efforts from religious and political leaders as well as law enforcement agencies to prevent further escalation. The paper argues that addressing religious conflict is quite essential for securing Nigeria’s future and achieving community development. It also emphasizes the import of dialogue among leaders of religious groups, tolerance and education.