Strategic Communication to Combat Religious Conflict in Nigeria

Abstract

Religion being a tool that appeals to both the physical and the spiritual aspect of man's life, and as such it is a very strong tool that can be used to change the perception of an individual, especially when one is under the ideology of religion itself. Nigerians believe more in religion than in what they do. However, it is absolutely not without doubt that religion can be used in divers’ ways to facilitate and perpetuate evil. Based on these the study employed the empirical secondary data through published and unpublished works. The paper concluded that religious conflicts or crises arising largely from mistrust, mutual suspicion and intolerance, which resulted from inability to tolerate others who are not of same faith. It also recommended that there is need for effective communication to foster understanding among the various religious groups in Nigeria. The Priest and teachers of the word of God are to be knowledgeable on communication skills as to avoid misconception and mis-presentation of religious information.