Christian Missions in South‐Western Nigeria, and the Response of African Traditional Religion

Abstract

AbstractThis work is an historical assessment of Christian‐African traditional religion worshipper relations in south‐western Nigeria from the inception of Christian mission to date. A combination of bibliographical search and field work methods were employed to elicit information for the research. The paper shows that first contact in south‐western Nigeria was a smooth relation between the two faiths. However, no sooner had Christianity become established than tensions began arising between the two religious faiths, simply owing to differences in belief systems and world views. The work identifies the root cause of these problems as a lack of organized dialogue between the adherents of the two faiths. Suggestions are made that the researcher strongly believes, if followed, would aid peaceful co‐existence among the adherents of the two faiths on the one hand, and on the other enhance Christian missionary enterprise in south‐western Nigeria.