Religious Education and the Challenge of Christian-Muslim Co-existence in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

The northern region of Nigeria where this research is concentrated is unfortunately known of a historical religious crisis which has situated the adherents in a dysfunctional relationship. Consequently, the religious groups co-exist with diverse challenges that often trigger inter-religious tension. Nigeria is generally understood as a religious country with citizens committed to the rigorous practice of their faiths. Christians and Muslims are the proliferating religious groups who co-exist as neighbors yet as rivals struggling for dominance. One of their means of propagation and indoctrination is religious education. In Nigeria, religious education takes many forms depending on the religion and whether it is moderated through government policy or privately by the religious group. However, by religious education, I refer to a formal instruction in school where particular religious adherents are taught their doctrines, beliefs, customs, rituals, rites, and other relevant themes. Exclusive religious education in some public schools is a challenge to Christian-Muslim co-existence in Nigeria.