LEADERSHIP, RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA

Anikwe Sunday Obinna (PhD) & Dr Ukah Finian O

ABSTRACT

The importance of leadership and religion towards enhancing social stability and national integration cannot be over- emphasized. It is believed that a cohesive society is of fundamental importance and that religion is just one mechanism that helps to achieve this. However, the challenges emanating from religious sentiments seem to have contradicted this noble goal of religion, instead, the destructive role of religion dominates most literature today. One of the major factors threatening the unity and stability of Nigeria as a nation is traceable to religious sentiments. Past studies have associated the cause of religious tension to the activities of religious fanatics. Some of the sub topics discussed were Nigeria and religious diversity, religious demography, religious violence in Nigeria, religious conflict, religious intolerance, national integration, and implications of ethno-religious diversity and conflicts on national development. However, the paper recommends that since the psychological impulse for positive distinctiveness is a natural phenomenon, the different groups should not only acknowledge but should also respect this reality. Unity in diversity should remain the ideal principle of religion and its diversity so as to continue ensuring a healthy national integration.

Keywords: Religion, Diversity, Leadership, Ethno-religious Conflict, National Integration, National Development.