Religion and the Making of Nigeria

Olufemi Vaughan author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Duke University Press

Published:9th Dec '16

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Religion and the Making of Nigeria cover

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.

"Religion and the Making of Nigeria is a refreshing and seminal piece of work and achievement. Its implications extend beyond Nigeria, and enjoin us as scholars of sub-Sahara African states and societies to critically examine and interrogate the dialectical processes and relations between pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial states and societies in the continent." -- David Emelifeonwu * Nation Nigeria *
"Professor Olufemi Vaughan’s book supremely holds the reader’s interest, fittingly fires her curiosity, and graciously gives her the pleasure of an intellectual high." -- Nimi Wariboko * Nigerian Tribune *
"Vaughan is highly commended for this book, an immense contribution to African history." -- Eric Mokube * Africa Today *
“Religion and the Making of Nigeria is easy to read, well researched, and a well-crafted book. No doubt it opens up avenues for further research and offers provocative thoughts about religion and its implication for the Nigerian state. The book is wholeheartedly recommended for both town and gown; that is, both worlds of academia and business people who wish to know more about the role of religion in Nigeria’s socio-political and economic realms.” -- David O. Ogungbile * Numen *
"Drawing from an array of disciplines, Vaughan presents a complex scholarship that examines the intersection of history, religion, politics, ethnic struggles, and nation building, contributing to a growing body of literature and discourse on the role of religion in all of these diverse fields of study. . . . Scholars will appreciate the excellent and critical analysis presented in this book." -- Chima J. Korieh * African Studies Review *
“Religion and the Making of Nigeria is an essential addition to academic libraries. Advanced undergraduates and graduate students in African Studies, Africanists, and specialists in Religious Studies will find Vaughan's work fascinating, complex, and helpful in understanding the history and character of modern Nigeria.” -- Ken Wilburn * Canadian Journal of History *
"Religion and the Making of Nigeria works its way through an impressive amount of scholarly research. The book has real value for the due diligence Olufemi Vaughan displays in examining all aspects of the debate over religion in the country." -- Andrew Barnes * Church History *
"The strength of the book lies in Vaughan’s deft synthesis of disparate works focused upon one region, ethnicity, historical moment, or thematic preoccupation. . . . Brimming with insights." -- Barbara M. Cooper * American Historical Review *
"A commendable undertaking of a vast and challenging topic . . . A welcome new contribution to the developing field of Nigerian religious and political studies." -- Christian van Gorder * Journal of the American Academy of Religion *
"An excellent resource for scholars interested in the role of the politics and practice of religion in state-making in Nigeria." -- Daniel E. Agbiboa * Journal of Modern African Studies *
"Religion and the Making of Nigeria is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the present religious and political landscape in Nigeria." -- Randy Goldson * Reading Religion *

ISBN: 9780822362067

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 612g

336 pages