Nigeria: Religious Conflict and the Boko Haram Crisis

Abstract

Religious conflicts have increased interfaith suspicion between Christians and Muslims
in Nigeria with each group being determined to outshine the other in the propagation of its re￾ligious beliefs. In fact, even Islamic sect Boko Haram was formed on the belief in the superiority
of Islam as a monotheistic religion and with a divine mandate to purge Islam of Western influ￾ences. This paper examines the complex issues surrounding the advent of the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria. It argues that religious conflict in Nigeria results from the propagation of radicalized
exegeses and the use of religious sentiments for gain political advantage. Government’s failure
to act decisively also accounts for religious conflict in Nigeria and the Boko Haram in particular.

Keywords: Religion, Boko Haram, Religious Conflicts, Fundamentalism, Ideology, Radicalism

JEL Classification: Z12