Nigeria’s Religious and Cultural Conflict
Nigeria’s Religious and Cultural Conflict

Ethnic conflict has scared Nigeria dating back to the slave trade and is still apparent today. The clash between Muslims and Christians throughout the Nigerian state has brought about concern on how stable a nation Nigeria is. Recently, the country of 126 million has seen a dramatic increase in violence. Since the election of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, there has been over 10,000 Nigerians killed due to ethnic, religious, or political violence. This constant conflict is slowly deteriorating the Nigerian state. Its impact is seen not only through the eyes of innocent youths and defenseless women, but also in the political and economic structure of the nation. This paper looks at the conflict in Nigeria between the Muslims and Christians and its impact on Nigerian culture. Nigeria is one of the largest nations on the African continent. It is comprised of 400 different ethnic groups each having its own specific language, social customs, and beliefs. To understand the conflicts Nigeria faces on must first look at its demographic make up. The state can be divided into two zones the northern savannah zone and the southern forest zone. Separating the northern state from the southern state is both the Niger and Benue rivers. This area is often referred to as the Middle Belt and is where many Muslims and Christian conflicts take place. The northern state of Nigeria is dominated by three ethnic groups. The first, the Kanuri, are found in the northeastern corner around Lake Chad. The second group, the Hausa, the dominant group north of the Niger is found west of the Kanuri. The third ethnic group the Fulani are scattered throughout all of northern Nigeria (Adediran 10)1. All three tribes share the same religious faith, that of Islam. In a book titled Nigerian History and Culture edited by Richard Olaniyan, author Biodun Adediran describes the beginnings of these ethnic groups through legends passed

Ethnic conflict has scared Nigeria dating back to the slave trade and is still apparent today. The clash between Muslims and Christians throughout the Nigerian state has brought about concern on how stable a nation Nigeria is. Recently, the country of 126 million has seen a dramatic increase in violence. Since the election of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, there has been over 10,000 Nigerians killed due to ethnic, religious, or political violence. This constant conflict is slowly deteriorating the Nigerian state. Its impact is seen not only through the eyes of innocent youths and defenseless women, but also in the political and economic structure of the nation. This paper looks at the conflict in Nigeria between the Muslims and Christians and its impact on Nigerian culture. Nigeria is one of the largest nations on the African continent. It is comprised of 400 different ethnic groups each having its own specific language, social customs, and beliefs. To understand the conflicts Nigeria faces on must first look at its demographic make up. The state can be divided into two zones the northern savannah zone and the southern forest zone. Separating the northern state from the southern state is both the Niger and Benue rivers. This area is often referred to as the Middle Belt and is where many Muslims and Christian conflicts take place. The northern state of Nigeria is dominated by three ethnic groups. The first, the Kanuri, are found in the northeastern corner around Lake Chad. The second group, the Hausa, the dominant group north of the Niger is found west of the Kanuri. The third ethnic group the Fulani are scattered throughout all of northern Nigeria (Adediran 10)1. All three tribes share the same religious faith, that of Islam. In a book titled Nigerian History and Culture edited by Richard Olaniyan, author Biodun Adediran describes the beginnings of these ethnic groups through legends passed
Bibliography: Olaniyan, Richard. Nigerian History and Culture. England: Longman House, 1985.