CURBING RELIGIOUS CONFLICT THROUGH EDUCATION AND RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

Abstract

The level of insecurity in Nigeria today is easily attributable to political instability. Insecurity has led to a spiral of killings and wanton destruction of life and property in both the public and private sectors in the country. However, this situation is a result of the utilization of religion for political gains. Boko Haram insurgency, with its agenda of enthronement of an Islamic rule based on the Sharia law, has added another ugly feather to the already bad blood between the religions in Nigeria. The concentration of religious violence in the areas predominated by apathy to Western Education during the formative years of Nigeria as a nation shows the connection between lack of education and the tendency to conflict. This paper discusses the importance of a thorough-going religious education of the youth in addressing this issue.