Religion and Development in Nigeria

Definitions and descriptions of religion by anti-religion scholars, philosophers and scientists often downplay the role, relevance, functions and contributions of religion to the society, and usually reduce it to a mere set of beliefs, doctrines, rituals and spirituality. In Nigeria, most of the critics of religion often forget that they owe Western education championed by the missionaries for most of their accomplishments in life. This is in addition to the spiritual assistance and healthcare services provided by religious leaders and institutions in the country.

In our previous book - Religion in Contemporary Nigeria- we addressed issues in the use and misuse of religion in Nigeria. This volume focuses on the role of religion in Nigeria's development. This carefully selected compendium contains the submissions of eminent scholars from African Traditional Religion, Christianity and Islam and is jointly edited by experienced professors in the fields. The overall aim is to enhance better understanding of religion as a veritable instrument of development in Nigeria.