Religion and the Making of Nigeria (Religious Cultures of African and African Diaspora People)

In Religion and the Making of Nigeria, Olufemi Vaughan examines how Christian, Muslim, and indigenous religious structures have provided the essential social and ideological frameworks for the construction of contemporary Nigeria. Using a wealth of archival sources and extensive Africanist scholarship, Vaughan traces Nigeria’s social, religious, and political history from the early nineteenth century to the present. During the nineteenth century, the historic Sokoto Jihad in today’s northern Nigeria and the Christian missionary movement in what is now southwestern Nigeria provided the frameworks for ethno-religious divisions in colonial society. Following Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960, Christian-Muslim tensions became manifest in regional and religious conflicts over the expansion of sharia, in fierce competition among political elites for state power, and in the rise of Boko Haram. These tensions are not simply conflicts over religious beliefs, ethnicity, and regionalism; they represent structural imbalances founded on the religious divisions forged under colonial rule. Olufemi Vaughan is Geoffrey Canada Professor of Africana Studies and History at Bowdoin College and the author and editor of many books, including Nigerian Chiefs: Traditional Power in Modern Politics, 1890s-1990s. Endorsements: “Olufemi Vaughan cuts through the noise of postcolonial discourses to get to the root of contemporary Nigeria's problems: the colonially aborted Islamic religious march toward domination of Nigeria's middle belt and northern regions. This book stands out among other efforts; it clearly articulates the role of religion in state-making in sub-Saharan Africa—especially in Nigeria. It will be welcomed by historians, religious scholars, sociologists, and literary critics who desire to understand the intersection among the different narratives and visions of colonialists in Nigeria.” — Kelechi Amihe Kalu, author of, Economic Development and Nigerian Foreign Policy "Religion and the Making of Nigeria is a well-wrought and eloquently crafted analysis of the intriguing linkage between religion and modern state formation in Nigeria. Drawing on archival and contemporary sources, Olufemi Vaughan adroitly situates his material within the vortex of historical and anthropological contention over the religious antecedents of colonial and postcolonial Nigeria. Elegantly written, Religion and the Making of Nigeria is a truly outstanding work of interdisciplinary analysis that is likely to become the standard bearer for scholarship on religion and the evolution of the modern Nigerian state in the foreseeable future." — Ebenezer Obadare, Professor of Sociology, University of Kansas 'in Religion And The Making Of Nigeria', Olufemi Vaughan Examines How Christian, Muslim, And Indigenous Religious Structures Have Provided The Essential Social And Ideological Frameworks For The Construction Of Contemporary Nigeria. Using A Wealth Of Archival Sources And Extensive Africanist Scholarship, Vaughan Traces Nigeria?s Social, Religious, And Political History From The Early Nineteenth Century To The Present. During The Nineteenth Century, The Historic Sokoto Jihad In Today?s Northern Nigeria And The Christian Missionary Movement In What Is Now Southwestern Nigeria Provided The Frameworks For Ethno-religious Divisions In Colonial Society. Following Nigeria?s Independence From Britain In 1960, Christian-muslim Tensions Became Manifest In Regional And Religious Conflicts Over The Expansion Of Sharia, In Fierce Competition Among Political Elites For State Power, And In The Rise Of Boko Haram. Islam And Christianity In The Making Of Modern Nigeria -- Islam And Colonial Rule In Northern Nigeria -- Christianity And The Transformation Of Colonial Southern And Northern Nigeria -- The Politics Of Religion In Northern Nigeria During Decolonization -- Religion And The Postcolonial State -- Religious Revival And The State : The Rise Of Pentecostalism -- Expanded Sharia : The Northern Ummah And The Fourth Republic -- Expanded Sharia : Resistance, Violence, And Reconciliation -- Sharia Politics, Obasanjo's Pdp Federal Government, And The 1999 Constitution. Olufemi Vaughan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 1. Islam and Christianity in the Making of Modern Nigeria 13 2. Islam and Colonial Rule in Northern Nigeria 39 3. Christianity and the Transformation of Colonial Southern and Northern Nigeria 69 4. The Politics of Religion in Northern Nigeria during Decolonization 89 5. Religion and the Postcolonial State 112 6. Religious Revival and the State: The Rise of Pentacostalism 139 7. Expanded Sharia: The Northern Ummah and the Fourth Republic 158 8. Expanded Sharia: Resistance, Violence, and Reconciliation 181 9. Sharia Politics, Obasanjo's PNP Federal Government, and the 1999 Constitution 199 Conclusion 223 Bibliography 273 Index 295 In Religion and the Making of Nigeria Olufemi Vaughan examines how Christian, Muslim, and indigenous religious structures along with the legacies of British colonial rule have provided the essential social and ideological frameworks for the construction of contemporary Nigeria.