The violent campaigns of Boko Haram, ISIS, and ISWAP illustrate the dark side of this misuse. These groups exploit religious sentiments to wage war against modern education, women’s empowerment, and national stability. They leave behind a trail of death, displacement, and disillusionment. At the same time, politicians stoke sectarian fears to gain electoral advantage, turning religion into a tool of manipulation rather than moral guidance. The result has been a cycle of mistrust and instability that undermines Nigeria’s development.
But religion need not remain a destructive force. In fact, if properly harnessed, it can become a cornerstone of a New Nigeria. Faith can inspire unity, nurture moral leadership, and drive community development. After all, some of the country’s most enduring schools, hospitals, and universities were established by religious bodies. The very values preached in churches, mosques, and traditional temples—justice, honesty, compassion, discipline—are the same values needed to rebuild Nigeria.
The way forward lies in reframing the role of religion in national life. First, interfaith dialogue must move from being symbolic to being practical—where leaders of all faiths collaborate to douse tension, promote tolerance, and celebrate shared values. Second, religious institutions must reclaim their historic role in education, not just in theology but in science, technology, and the humanities, equipping a new generation to compete globally. Third, religion must once again serve as society’s conscience, holding leaders accountable instead of being used to endorse their failures. And finally, faith must fuel social entrepreneurship: religious organisations can expand their role in poverty alleviation, job creation, and grassroots empowerment.
The future of Nigeria cannot be built on suspicion, division, or violence in the name of religion. It must be built on the understanding that faith is strongest when it unites rather than when it divides. A Nigeria where Christians and Muslims collaborate on development projects, where clerics preach integrity in public service, and where no child is denied education in the name of dogma is the Nigeria that can truly rise.
Religion will continue to shape Nigeria’s destiny. The choice before us is clear: allow it to remain a tool of division and destruction, or transform it into a force for unity and progress. The New Nigeria demands the latter.
