IMPACT OF RELIGION ON ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN NIGERIA: AMIDST RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS

Christopher Ndubuisi Ibenwa, Chidimma Jessica Allison

Abstract


Operating  a  mono-economic  structure  and  the  constant  reliance  on  oil  sector  has  been viewed  as  the  major  challenges  of  the  Nigerian  economy.  The  prospect  of  Nigerian economy towards attaining a sustainable growth and development, as many Economists would   observe,   requires   the   correction   of   this   existing   structuring   distortions. Diversification  of  her  economy  is  seen  as  the  easiest  way  to  record  this  growth  and development in the economy. Unfortunately, the influence of Religion on this growth and development  has  been  relegated  to  the  background.  Can  there  really  be  any  visible economic  diversification  programme/project  in  Nigeria  amidst  the  present  religious sentiments and turmoil in the country? It is this gap that the present study proposes to fill.  The  study  among  others  aims  at  unraveling  the  impact  of  religion  on  economic diversification and growth in Nigeria. The study draws on data from available literature but  bent  on  analyzing  them  critically  using  descriptive  phenomenological  method.  The study found out that religion can either play a positiveor negative role in the economic growth and development of the country.

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References


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