Religion as a Tool in Promoting Conflict Management, Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa
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Date
2025-03
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Covenant University Journal of Politics & International Affairs
Abstract
Religion is a social phenomenon that pervades every aspect of human existence and human
interactions. Religion is an established institution in every human society in the world. The power of
religion, as an instrument of peace, substantially rests on morals which every religion preaches and
propagates. Morality deals with the question of what is right and good and what is wrong and evil in
human conduct. Morality and religion go together. Conflict in human society is inevitable. It is part
and parcel of human existence. Conflict in Nigeria evolve as war, violence which are predominantly
ethno - religious in nature. Peace building is essentially important for sustainable development in
Nigeria. On this note, the thrust of this research is premised on religion as a tool in conflict
management and peace building in Nigeria. The work adopted theories of Emile Durkheim on
Religious functionalism and the Divine Command to establish its claims. It made use of descriptive
methods, socio-ethical and historical approaches. Its findings showed that religious ethical values
such as justice, love, tolerance. Patriotism and peace which are entrenched in various religious
practices (African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam) are germane for conflict management
and peace building in Africa. The work recommends religious and ethnic dialogue among
communities and also encourages continental moral rebirth among religious adherents which is
pivotal for sustainable development in Nigeria and Africa at large.