RELIGION, INSECURITY AND SOCIAL COHESION

Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economies in West Africa. It is also a home to multitude of ethnic groups, religions and cultural affiliations. However, the country has been experimented with several political formations with mixed results ranging from raising insecurity and disruption in social cohesion. The recent transformation into a federal state has put religion, ethnicity and the nature of the federal state into direct confrontation with each other. Like many developing countries. Nigeria faces the major challenges in managing diversity of religion. ethnicity and social cohesion. The study adopted multidisciplinary research approach. Available literatures reviewed indicated that recent events show a rising tension between various ethnic groups, and various religion organizations in Nigeria. The raising level of conflicts between Islam and Christianity which are the major religious affiliation of most Nigerians has affected greatly the nature of security and social cohesion existing in the nation prior the inception of religion in Nigeria. Therefore, this paper explores the role of religion in addressing the raising reports of insecurity and disruption of social cohesion in Nigeria as a prerequisite to development of Nigeria. The article argues that social cohesion can only be enhanced and deeply promoted through collaborative efforts of all religions and through engagement with federal and state authorities in finding a common grounds for various religious organizations in Nigeria.