FOSTERING PEACE IN NIGERIA: THE INTERCONNECTED THREADS OF RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The Nigerian nation has been in dire need of peace and sustainable development since her independence in 1960. It is commonly accepted that peace and sustainable development complement each other. There can be no sustainable development without peace. The trajectory is that peace cannot thrive except the relevant developmental ethos is strengthened. The paper addresses how religion and philosophy, and their inalienable ethics could promote peace in Nigeria's developmental landscape. In addition, the study explores the role of religious and philosophical principles in advancing peace-building and sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper employed the historical research design as its methodology, through relevant primary and secondary sources of data.The religious and ethnic diversities in Nigeria are expected to foster rich sustainable development for the citizens. It is noteworthy that indigenous African philosophy and religious paradigm can bring about the desired sustainable development in the nation. The study elucidates the interconnectedness of religion, philosophy and communal values in the drive towards peace and sustainable development. The objective of the paper is to explicate the role of religion and philosophical paradigm as genuine pathway for peace-building in Nigeria. The integration of these would impact the social norm and governance, and promote sustainable development of the nation. The quest for peace in the nation should remain sacrosanct in the drive for sustainable development.