Abstract
This article examines the extent to which ethno-religious conflicts have affected sustainable development in Nigeria. The destruction of lives and property by reckless ethnic and religious extremists has been a challenging key factor to sustainable development in Nigeria. This article aims to reflect on the ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria from an epistemological point of view, ascertain the major causes of these conflicts and seek solutions to address the root causes. The article concludes that religious intolerance among Nigerians from different religious groups is the result of the misinterpretation of religious teachings of the leaders of terrorist groups to their followers and that ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria affect sustainable development as they lead to loss of lives and destruction of property, among others. It is also indicated that the effects of ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria lead to an increase in the unemployment rate, withdrawal of foreign investments and education imbalance. The article concludes by arguing that ethnicity and religious crises are unhealthy for the nation’s sustainable development and that no price paid in the direction of resolving these conflicts can be considered to be too much. It is recommended that religious leaders form the minds of Nigerians with the teaching of love and peace, as it is proclaimed in their various religious books and beliefs. Contribution: This article brought to light the major factors instigating continuous ethno-religious conflict in Nigeria that has led to much social unrest. Theological reflection of the influence of religion in promoting peaceful coexisting environment was analysed. This work would be of immense benefit to religious bodies, government, civil society and students.
Highlights
Conflict, as generally known, breaks out from a disagreement, controversy or quarrel between two or more people or groups of people
This research will investigate some incidents of ethno-religious conflicts, their causes and the threat they pose to the sustainable development of Nigeria
The government should make copious efforts to disassociate itself from any form of inclination to any religion because it is a secular state. It has been established from the findings of this study that the rate at which ethno-religious conflict thrives in Nigeria, with its resultant effects such as threats to lives and property, displacement of people, destruction of existing infrastructure, impeding of business activities and discouragement of investors, it hinders the sustainable development of Nigeria
Summary
As generally known, breaks out from a disagreement, controversy or quarrel between two or more people or groups of people. The goal of this article is to examine how religion can be used to influence Nigerian society in order to instil the much-needed social change and norms in people, which will make them drop their old violent norms and embrace new ones that will ignite peaceful coexistence amongst themselves To achieve this objective, this research will investigate some incidents of ethno-religious conflicts, their causes and the threat they pose to the sustainable development of Nigeria. The effect of ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria is quite alarming, with hundreds of lives and properties lost and many people forced to escape their communities, abandoning their farms and businesses and being added to the number of jobless citizens in the labour market, all resulting from the ethno-religious crises, which have affected Nigeria’s sustainable development. The government should make copious efforts to disassociate itself from any form of inclination to any religion because it is a secular state
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