A Discourse on Inter-Religious Tensions in a Pluralized Nigeria: Examining the Role of Interfaith dialogue as a Panacea

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing concern over the continued escalation of inter-religious violence among Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. The high level of ethnic and cultural diversity coinciding with acute politicization of religion have immensely contributed and added more fuel to the wildfire of violent inter-religious tension in the region, most especially in the North. The British occupation of Nigeria is also believed to have set in motion a chain of event that encourages discriminatory and stereotypical rhetoric, the implication of which not only affects stability and development in Nigeria but take a heavy toll on human life and property. With the increasing danger of Islamist insurgent forces in Northern Nigeria, this study seeks to investigate the historical evolution of inter-religious conflict in Nigeria in a bid to identify the underlying factors responsible for the emergence of religious-motivated conflict in the land, and therefore, develop potential solutions designed specifically for the Nigerian context. Proposing dialogue as a panacea, this study will investigate the activities of interfaith organizations in Nigeria to identify areas of deficiency in the implementation of dialogue and to outline the challenges they currently face. Employing Lederach's model of integrated dialogue and the nested paradigm, this study argues that dialogue with all groups and at all levels is a necessary precondition for peace, while also developing ways by which a sustainable system of dialogue can be ensured in a multireligious Nigeria.