In recent years, Nigeria has faced an escalating threat from Islamic extremism and mob violence, which are severely undermining national integration and sustainable development. This alarming trend has its roots in the country’s complex historical, political, economic, and social fabric and has been exacerbated by the actions of extremist groups and individual acts of violence, such as the murder of university student Deborah Samuel in 2022. The findings were published in the journal Clinical Sociology Review.
The seeds of religious extremism in Nigeria were sown long before the country’s independence in 1960. Islamic empires, such as the Sokoto Caliphate, had a significant pre-colonial influence on northern Nigeria, which cultivated an environment favourable to extremist ideologies. The introduction of Christianity by missionary organisations further complicated the situation and stoked long-lasting animosity between the region’s Muslim majority and Christian minority.
The colonial era only deepened these divisions. British colonial administrators amalgamated the predominantly Muslim north with the Christian south, creating a larger political entity without a foundation for peaceful coexistence. A bitter political rivalry that used religion as a tool to rally support during this time period is a trend that has persisted in contemporary Nigerian politics.
Competition for power along religious lines has marred Nigeria’s political landscape since independence. The death of President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2009, a Muslim, and the subsequent election of Christian Goodluck Jonathan sparked significant unrest. Similarly, the 2011 and 2023 presidential elections saw religious affiliations become a central issue, with candidates using religious rhetoric to secure votes. These elections often resulted in violent clashes, further entrenching religious divides.
The murder of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto state, exemplifies the extreme violence that religious intolerance can provoke. Deborah allegedly made blasphemous remarks about Prophet Muhammad in May 2022, and her peers brutally killed her for it. This incident, along with the subsequent killings of Ahmad Usman and Usman Buda in separate incidents, highlights the pervasive impunity and the deep-seated issues within Nigeria’s justice system.
Such acts of mob violence are not unique to Nigeria but are particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where effective justice systems are often lacking. Historical grievances, socioeconomic difficulties, and political actors’ manipulation of religious sentiments are the driving forces behind these incidents in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s socioeconomic landscape also plays a crucial role in fostering extremism. Poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy create fertile ground for extremist ideologies to take root. The economic disparities between the north and south exacerbate these issues, leading to further tensions. Northern Nigeria, with its larger population and significant Muslim majority, has historically been less developed than the predominantly Christian south, creating a sense of marginalisation and frustration that extremist groups can exploit.
Despite various efforts by successive Nigerian governments to curb religious extremism and mob violence, these measures have often proved ineffective. The use of brute force by security agencies, as seen in the crackdown on Boko Haram, has sometimes exacerbated the problem, pushing extremist groups to adopt more violent tactics.
A holistic approach is needed to address the root causes of extremism in Nigeria. This includes strengthening the criminal justice system to ensure perpetrators are held accountable, alleviating poverty, and promoting robust religious education and interreligious dialogue. The international community also has a role to play in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat extremism through developmental aid and capacity-building initiatives.
