Prime Minister Modi is currently visiting the African country of Nigeria. He arrived in Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Sunday for a three-day visit. Getting there for the first time. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed Prime Minister Modi at Abuja Airport. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, honored Prime Minister Modi by awarding him the “Key to the City” of Abuja. In this context, let us understand whether Nigeria is a Muslim majority country or a Christian majority country and why does tension arise between the people of these two religions?
What is the population of Nigeria?
Nigeria’s full name is the Federal Republic of Nigeria, located in the west of the African continent. It is Africa’s largest democracy. Its population is smaller than that of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. UP has a population of 240 million and Nigeria has a population of 230 million. The country was named Nigeria after the Niger, the third longest river in Africa. Its greatest feature is that the world’s largest Muslim and Christian populations live here. Almost half of the population lives here. Among the total population here, Muslims account for approximately 51.1% and Christians account for approximately 46.9%.
Is Nigeria divided into two parts?
According to the BBC, Nigeria is divided into two parts. The northern region has a larger Muslim population but also has high poverty rates. Southern and eastern Nigeria have larger Christian populations and are wealthier areas. The roots of Islam in northern Nigeria date back to the 11th century. The religion first emerged in Borno, which is why the northern region of Nigeria has a large Muslim population. Meanwhile, Christian missionary work in southern Nigeria actually began in Yorubaland around 1842. Therefore, southern Nigeria has a larger Christian population. Christianity also provided the platform for the establishment of Western education in western Nigeria. Meanwhile, operations in many parts of northern Nigeria have completely failed. In the North, Western education is considered equal to Christianity.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Tensions between two religions?
Tensions between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria have a long history. Many reasons for exacerbating religious tensions were also identified. There is still competition for space between Islam and Christianity. There is also a deep-seated belief that Nigerian leaders use the country to promote their own religion and beliefs at the expense of others. It is also believed that the feelings of minority groups are not respected and that there is a culture of insensitivity to them. In fact, many states in northern Nigeria have adopted Sharia law despite strong opposition from Christians. As a result, disputes and fighting also occurred between the two communities.
In Nigeria, both religions have had a significant impact on many aspects of the educational, cultural, political and social life of the local people. Regardless, religion is considered a core part of people’s identities. In this case, any threat to someone’s religious beliefs is seen as a threat to their entire existence, so we can say that the real fight between these two religions is to preserve their respective religions.
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