Nigerians in earlier
times were free to put faith in whatever and whoever was most dear to their
tribes and themselves. It was a trust in nature and animism that projected
itself in giving strength and value to that worshiper. Indigenous religions
soon became an important tradition of Nigerian society and maintained moral
order. This traditional worship was done through an intermediary who gave favor
only after a blood sacrifice.
The arrival of Muslims
in Nigeria put a stop to these sacrifices, and Islam became firmly established
in northern Nigeria. The introduction of Christianity began with the arrival of
British missionaries in the middle and southern regions of Nigeria. Today,
while almost all Nigerians are either Christian or Muslim, many continue to
mingle these faiths with indigenous beliefs. This mix of religious practice is
a result of Nigerians’ traditional belief in freedom of worship.
Religion in Nigeria
Today
According to a 2010 survey
conducted by the Pew Forum, Nigeria’s population has both Christians and
Muslims in a nearly equal ratio, with a small percentage of the population
following other religious beliefs such as indigenous faiths and no affiliations
at all. Muslims make up 48.8% of the country’s population while Christians add
up to 49.3%. The remaining 1.9% are either practitioners of indigenous
religions or no affiliations.
Sunni Islam
A recent report
established that Sunni Islam adherents count around 42.5% of Nigerians as
fellow members. Other reports conclude that there are close to 60 million Sunni
Muslims in the country. The majority belong to the Maliki school of
jurisprudence while a minority belong to the Shafi madhhab. Sufi brotherhoods
also have a sizable number of Sunni Muslims as members.
Protestant Christianity
Protestant Christianity
flourishes in Nigeria, counting around 32.3% of the population as adherents.
Protestants are concentrated mainly in Yoruba belonging to several denomination
churches. The Nigerian Baptist Convention has close to 6 million members. The
Presbyterian Church of Nigeria count around 3.8 million members while the
Evangelical Church of West Africa has close to 5 million members.
Roman Catholic
Christianity
Although Christians in
Nigeria are traditionally Protestants, converts to Roman Catholic Christianity
have increased to around 10.9%, and are concentrated mainly in Igboland.
Nigeria also has the most number of Catholic priests in the whole of Africa.
The country also has Catholic traditionalism churches in the form of the
Society of St. Pius X and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Seminaries and
universities also exist in Nigeria under Catholic supervision.
Shia Islam
The Sokoto state in
Nigeria is where Shia Islam flourishes, with close to 6.0% of the total
population of the country as adherents. This estimate varies, however, and
there are though to be between 2 and 4 million Nigerian members of the Shia
faith. Ibrahim Zakzaky, a Muslim cleric and head of the Islamic Movement in
Nigeria, was responsible for introducing Shia Islam in the country in 1979 as a
student. As an activist type of cleric, Zakzaky was arrested couple of times
due to civil disobedience.
Ahmadi Islam
Ahmadi Islam also is
present in Nigeria, with around 1.5% of Nigeria’s population as adherents. A
leader of the Nigerian Youth Movement, Alhaji Jibril Martin introduced Ahmadi
Islam in Nigeria in the 1940s. Although local Muslim leaders denounced the
Ahmadiyya Movement as heretical. Later, the movement split into two due to
differences. The second group going with the Sunni Islam.
Role of Indigenous
Beliefs in Contemporary Nigeria
Traditional religions
still exist and play a part in people’s lives in Nigeria today. Those
practicing these indigenous religions only, along with those with other
beliefs, atheists, and nonbelievers, make up around 6.8% of the total
population of the country. Traditional religions are often affiliated with the
seat of the king of indigenous Nigeria. This is an affirmation of the
legitimacy of the king’s rule over hinterland communities in the country that
influences morality and ethics. As a way of life, it is connected to the
fertility of the people and land. Its economic link is also important in
tourism with seasonal carnivals that draw tourists to Nigeria.
|
Rank |
Belief System |
Share of Nigerian Population |
|
1 |
Sunni Islam |
42.5% |
|
2 |
Protestant Christianity |
32.3% |
|
3 |
Roman Catholic Christianity |
10.9% |
|
4 |
Shia Islam |
6.0% |
|
5 |
Ahmadi Islam |
1.5% |
|
* |
Other or No Beliefs |
6.8% |
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