Christianity and Politics in a Polarized State: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has been in the news in recent times over the destructive and deadly activities of extremist Islamic group Boko Haram and other fundamentalist Muslims sects. Despite all efforts, the Nigerian government and Christians have not been able to respond effectively to mitigate or to even stop these attacks and create a just society for all its citizens. This chapter examines the impact of Christian-Muslim relations on state formation: on the creation and sustenance of the postcolonial British West African country of Nigeria. It explores the character of the relationship between the forces of Christianity and Islam interacting together in a highly multiethnic society over an extended period. The premise is that an understanding of the Nigerian situation could portend how other African countries and the West can then best respond in a pluralistic religious context. The argument is developed by identifying the contributive factors of the politicization of religion, the ethnicization and religionization of politics, and the appropriate Christian response.