Professor Abdulazeez Balogun Shittu has urged Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence and reject religious intolerance. He made the call during the 54th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, on September 24, 2026. The lecture, titled “Religious Insularity: A Threat to Peaceful Coexistence in Nigeria,” examined the dangers of intolerance and the misuse of religious identity in a diverse society. Shittu, a Professor of Islamic Thought and Comparative Religion, emphasized the need for Nigerians to manage their religious diversity through justice, humility, and mutual respect.
Shittu defined religious insularity as an exaggerated attachment to one’s religious identity, accompanied by suspicion, rejection, or condemnation of others. He noted that religious commitment is not the problem, but the danger arises when individuals or groups use their faith to establish superiority over others. According to Shittu, this can occur in two dimensions: intra-religious and inter-religious, with intolerance happening not only between Muslims and Christians but also among members of the same religious community.
The professor identified several factors contributing to religious divisions in Nigeria, including inadequate knowledge of one’s faith, ignorance of other religions, stereotypes, misinformation, intolerance, and the politicization of religion. He expressed concern about the role of social media and the wider media environment in spreading unverified information, which can worsen religious tensions. Shittu warned that irresponsible reporting can deepen suspicion and damage relationships.
Shittu drew from Islamic teachings to emphasize the importance of peaceful relations with people of other faiths. He cited Qur’an 5:48, which recognizes religious differences while urging people to “race to all that is good,” and Qur’an 60:8, which calls for justice and righteousness towards those who do not fight Muslims or drive them from their homes. He also referred to the interactions of Prophet Muhammad with Jewish and Christian communities.
The professor distinguished between religiosity and spirituality, observing that a society can display strong outward religious practices while failing to demonstrate the ethical values expected from religion. This can result in discrimination, loss of trust, social division, and the manipulation of religion to justify violence. Shittu stressed that Nigerians do not need to abandon their religious identities to live peacefully with one another.
To address the problem, Shittu called for improved religious literacy, accurate information, verification of claims, fairness, tolerance, and responsible leadership. He urged religious leaders to promote peaceful coexistence, journalists to avoid inflammatory reporting, and politicians to refrain from exploiting religious differences for political purposes. Shittu emphasized that peaceful coexistence among citizens of different faiths is a national necessity.
Shittu maintained that a Muslim should not have to become less Muslim to respect a Christian, and a Christian should not have to become less Christian to respect a Muslim. He concluded that Nigeria’s religious diversity should be managed through justice, humility, and mutual respect. The professor’s lecture aimed to promote understanding and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths.
Key points
- - Religious differences should not become barriers to national unity. - Improved religious literacy and accurate information can help address religious divisions. - Peaceful coexistence among citizens of different faiths is a national necessity.
