Religious Extremism as a National Security Problem: Strategies for Sustainable Solutions

Abstract

The study attempted to examine the impact of religious extremism on national security and political stability in Nigeria with the view to proffering solutions on how the problem can be ameliorated. Both quantitative and qualitative designs were adopted by the study for its data generation, while the study sample was drawn from different religious organisations, traditional institutions, academic community, and security agents and students religious groups. After careful data analysis using inferential statistics, results have shown that the growing trend of religious extremism is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. Indeed, it is a global phenomenon which is part of the First World War. For this reason religious fanaticism has continued to find a strong hold in Nigeria through globalisation, rise of Islamic revivalism and more importantly the growing detest for the West. Consequently this had led to series of security problems to national stability and cohesion. Based on this, policy recommendations were proffered by the study as the way forward. Among these are: need for massive public enlightenment so that Nigerians can learn to imbibe the spirit and values of patriotism and respect for other Nigerians; need for regular meetings between government, and religious leaders; encouraging religious groups to educate their followers on the true tenets of their religion; more importantly, government should address the issue of poverty and unemployment.