Faith-Based initiatives as an inseparable entity for nation-building: a comparative analysis of two religious groups in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2420-8175/23741Keywords:
Christianity religion, congregational group, faith-based initiative, Islamic religion, nation-buildingAbstract
The study examines the faith-based initiatives between Christianity and Islam and their impact on nation-building in Nigeria. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted. The emphasis is placed on the populace comfortability theory of nation-building and how it reflects the practices of faith-based organisations. The data was sought within the three areas of social services, community engagement and inter-faith dialogue. The quantitative phase of this study employed a survey questionnaire with a PPMC reliability value of 0.84. Statistical techniques such as mean, independent t-tests were used for the research question and testing of the null hypotheses postulated, while thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative analysis. The study revealed that Christianity and Islamic organisations both contributed and continue to contribute to nation-building through their initiatives. A significant difference exists in an item with which the Christian faithful are in total disagreement. It was concluded in the study that the suggestion of the populace comfortability theory should be embraced by all to enable a meaningful and continuous nation-building process.
References
Ajaegbu O.O. (2012), Religion and national development in Nigeria. In «American Academi & Scholarly Research Journal», Vol. 4, n. 4, pp. 1-6.
Ajetomobi O.A., Yayi T.O. and Abolaji T.S. (2024), Information and communication technology in the promotion of regional peace and security in Nigeria: The role of the church. In «Caritas et Veritas», Vol. 14, n. 6, pp. 18-30.
Bakari M.S. and Abubakar A. (2025), Poverty and insecurity in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable development. In «International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research», Vol. 3, n. 3, pp. 85-97.
Birabel S.T. and Ibekwe P. (2016), Patterns of Nation Building. In K.A. Mezieobi and S.A. Mezieobi (edited by), Social Studies Education and Nation-Building: Theories, Problems and Prospects. Social Studies Courseware (SSE103) Owerri, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) pp. 10-49
Fafunwa A.B. (2004), History of education in Nigeria, NPS Educational Publishers Ltd.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2013), National Policy on Education, Lagos, NERDC Press.
Leonard N. (2025), Theology and Politics: Partnering for Nation-Building and Transformation. In «Greener Journal of Social Sciences», Vol. 15, n. 1, pp. 11-24.
Lumumba P.L.O. (2022), Systemic issues in African governance and the decline in moral authority, public lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNXhCWJO4Y (consulted on the 26/05/2026).
Mezieobi K.A. and Philips O.M. (2016), Theories of Nation-building for Social Studies Education. In K.A. Mezieobi and S.A. Mezieobi (edited by), Social Studies and Nation Building in Nigeria. New Perspectives, Owerri, Whyte and Whyte Publishers, pp. 41-49.
Nwabuisi G.U. (2023), Appraisal of impact of religion on community development programmes in Abia State, Nigeria. In «Trinitarian International Journal of Arts and Humanity (TIJAH)», Vol. 2, n. 1, pp 24-45.
Obagbinoko C.O. (2023), Nation-building and dialectics of religion and religiosity in Nigeria’s politics. In «Wukari International Studies Journal», Vol. 7, n. 3, pp. 34-51.
Obielosi D. (2024), The Christian and the building of a formidable nation: An exegetico-pragmatic application of Mathew 5:13. In «Journal of Philosophy, Arts and Humanities (EJOPAH)», Vol. 1, n. 1, pp. 17-27.
Ojoajogwu O.N. (2014), Religion as a catalyst of nation building in Nigeria. In «Net Journal of Social Sciences», Vol. 2, n. 2, pp. 71-76.
Okolie U.C., Onyema O.A. and Baseey U.S. (2019), Poverty and insecurity in Nigeria: An empirical study. In «International Journal of Legal Studies», Vol. 6, n. 2, pp 247-261.
Oludele M.S. (2020), Social change in contemporary Nigeria: A theoretical discourse. In «RSC», Vol. 12, n. 1, pp. 1-26.
Sanusi L.S. (2025), YouTube and Facebook videos on the conduct of educated people in Government and Administrative positions in fixing Nigeria’s challenges. In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjXjuVsjK5k (consulted on the 27/05/2026).
Taylor C. (1994), Multiculturalism: examining the politics of recognition, Princeton, Princeton University Press.
Ukommi A.S., Okoronkwo U.L. and Ekpeyong O.A. (2015), The role of Christian Religious Organisation in community development programmes in Cross River State. In «The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology», Vol. 3, n. 2, pp. 26-39.
Verplanken B. and Orbell S. (2021), Attitudes, habits and behaviour change. In «Annual Review of Psychology», Vol. 73, pp. 327-352. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-020821-011744.
Wutich A., Beresford M. and Russell B.H. (2024), Sample sizes for 10 types of qualitative data analysis: An integrative review, empirical guidance and new steps. In «International Journal of Qualitative Methods», Vol. 23, pp. 1-14.
Yayi T.O., Ajetomobi O., Lawal B. and Ogunjimi M. (2025), Civic participation: the nexus between the collar and her commission. In «Educazione Interculturale», Vol. 23, n. 1, pp. 163-177. https://doi.org/10.6092/iss n.. 2420-8175/20551.
Yusuf A., Bello M.B., Ajidagba U.A. and Obafemi K.E. (2016), Transforming Nigeria to a changed nation using religious and national value education: Basic school teachers’ perspective. In «Silpakorn University Journal of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts», Vol. 16, n. 2, pp. 93-113.
Yusuf O.A. (2015), Islamic Administration of justice and Nigeria’s development: A keynote address delivered at the Islamic Welfare Foundation at the 3rd International Conference on the 22nd November, 2015 at Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria, Nigeria, Fountain University.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Idayat Nike Balogun, Ifeoma Priscillia-Lilian Okafor

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.