Religion in Nigeria
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Religion in Nigeria is a cornerstone of social, cultural, and political life, shaped by a rich history of indigenous beliefs, Islamic trade routes, and Christian missionary activity. Nigeria's religious landscape, one of the most diverse in Africa, emerged from pre-colonial animist traditions, the 11th-century arrival of Islam via trans-Saharan trade, and the 19th-century spread of Christianity through British colonialism.: 53–55 Contemporary demographics reflect a near-even split between Islam (45.5–53.5%) and Christianity (45.9–54.2%), with traditional beliefs and other faiths comprising a smaller share. Religious identity, often tied to ethnicity and region, drives both community cohesion and periodic conflict.
Islam dominates northern Nigeria, Christianity prevails in the south, and the Middle Belt hosts a mix of faiths, alongside traditional practices like Yoruba Ifá and Igbo Chukwu worship.: 15–20 Minority religions, including Baháʼí, Hinduism, and syncretic movements like Chrislam, add to this diversity, while atheism faces social stigma. Inter-religious tensions, exemplified by Boko Haram's insurgency and herder-farmer clashes, challenge Nigeria's secular constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion but struggles against societal and political pressures.