High Religiosity, Low Moral Outcomes: The Nigerian Paradox

My reflection focuses on how religious beliefs and practices shape the life of the average Nigerian, as well as how they have permeated institutions and governance structures. I will try to show the superficiality of these religious beliefs and practices and how they contradict the behaviours of both the ordinary Nigerian and those in governance.  For those in government, religion appears to be an enabler and reinforcer of corrupt practices and the like. The claimed perception of religion as opium of the masses is currently playing out in Nigeria as all the major religious affiliations (Christian, Muslim, traditional religion, etc) work very hard to convince and indoctrinate their adherents of the need to strictly and uncritically observe all religious teachings and practices, but without the attendant ethical outcome. Nigeria is said to be one of the most corrupt countries in Africa, but it also has the highest number of churches and the largest church auditoriums that can seat one hundred and twenty thousand persons in Africa. This paradox is what I intend to explore and make some recommendations.