Why Are Nigerians So Religious?

According to a report by the BBC news in 2004, Nigeria is the most religious nation in the world (Source)

I had a discussion with a dear friend recently and he asked a simple but powerful question 'Why are Nigerians so religious?

In my opinion, there are two main reasons for this, please see below my responses to him, feel free to disagree with me.

       My number one reason is Bad governance and the horrible state of the nation: You might not agree with me but the main reason for our high level of religious activities is bad leadership. The Government has failed us, nothing works, poverty is rife in the land and people feel the need to depend on the ‘supernatural’ for hope of a better life.

 A good example is travelling long distances in Nigeria, it is not uncommon for people to fast and pray for days before embarking on a long distance journey in Nigeria. Why? Roads are bad, drivers are unregulated, cars are not road worthy, insecurity on highways and nothing much is being done about these vices. Let’s assume for a second that all this is taking away and we have good secure roads,  will anyone really need to fast and pray to bind ‘blood sucking demons’ on Nigerian highways? What are the ‘blood sucking demons’? I am sure you will agree with me that I have listed them above. 

Do the people in government think? If the entire population whether employed or unemployed had access to at least food and shelter, what will that guarantee? It guarantees that the security issues in the country will be half solved.  Developed countries have welfare systems in place to cater for citizens; this ensures that no one has to go to bed without food except they choose to by wasting their resources. This doesn't totally eradicate the issue of crime but significantly reduces it. We need to start from somewhere.

When citizens have a better quality of life without the need to worry about the next meal, bad healthcare systems, bad infrastructure, insecurity of lives and property, injustice by employers and in general they feel valued as citizens of a nation, there will be less dependence on religion to solve any problems. Religion is then used for what it is really meant for which is ‘Service to Humanity’ and not for selfish gain or propagating ‘false hopes’ which is the case in Nigeria.

Every Nigerian is vulnerable; no matter your level of wealth or fame: you are vulnerable to armed robbery, accidents due to bad roads, illnesses due to pollution etc. In summary, the vulnerability of the average Nigerian means religious promises are very attractive as it gives hope of a better life and future, when the causes of vulnerability are resolved we start to see a shift in culture.

2)      Intellectual Laziness: This point does not apply to everyone but applies to the majority. The truth is Nigeria will remain stagnant if we all don’t put on our thinking caps and start being innovative. It appears it is far easier for the average man to gather a few people, get a drum set and a microphone and start a church. Why? In Nigeria, it is the short-cut to fame and fortune. As long as you say what the congregation want to hear, you can be sure of success.  The average Nigerian is content listening to prophesies on blessings and ‘receiving’ rather than coming up with an innovation or brilliant idea that will change his generation.  I see comments from youths on social media saying ‘God remember me’ , ‘send me my blessings’ ‘I am the next Dangote by God’s Grace’ . The truth is this is never going to happen by  simply fasting, praying and sowing seeds.

Every day of the week, religious houses are filled to the brim with people ‘receiving’ blessings and favours. Even the man that has no intention of stepping out of his house  to seek a source of livelihood expects some kind of supernatural provision. This gives a false sense of entitlement.

Now let’s relate this to Nigeria, most people believe as long as they have said a prayer for Nigeria, they have played their part. The issue of the missing girls in Borno State is a good example, with prayers being offered all over social media for their release, yet we can’t see any actions being undertaken by the Federal Government to rescue them. Do we really believe that God is going to come down to save these girls? If for example, the US government steps in to help and rescue the missing girls, the average Nigerian will proclaim ‘God has done it’. The sad truth is we are lazy and love things to be done on our behalf then we turn around to attribute it to God’s favour and blessings.

 Take a few minutes to think about this, if all the religious houses springing up in every street in Nigeria are manufacturing companies,

·         what will the economy of Nigeria be like?

·         the rate of unemployment?

·         the level of insecurity due to jobless youths?

 It is a chain reaction.

              Thanks for reading

              Mena

              Twitter: @triflections