A renowned historian, Professor Toyin Falola, has cautioned Nigerian politicians and other key figures against weaponizing religion to sow division and unrest in the country.
Falola, widely recognized as the most cited African historian, gave the warning while delivering the inaugural lecture of the Hassan Sunmonu Centre for Leadership and Governance.
The event took place on Thursday, the 23rd of October 2025, at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
Speaking on the topic, “Democracy and the Dynamics of Development in Africa,” Falola described religion as a “double-edged sword.”
He explained that religion holds the power to unite or divide societies, noting that in Nigeria, it can either promote harmony or destroy peace and justify exclusionary politics.
Falola urged politicians and other stakeholders to resist the temptation of using religion as a tool for disunity and crisis.
READ ALSO: Religion is not a tool for power retention, says Adegbowura
“Religion can also be a source of ambivalence because while it is capable of bringing people together, it can also tear society apart along sectarian lines,” he said.
According to him, “The dynamics of religion in African democracies thus bear the contradictions of development. However, religion can be mobilized to reinforce peace and civic culture; religion can also stifle democratic ideologies by engendering intolerance or legitimizing dictatorship.”
“In Nigeria, religion can either foster peace and consequently consolidate democracy or undermine peace and justify exclusionary politics,” he continued.
“Yet, it can also motivate participation in politics and interest in public life, suggesting that religious engagement can be channeled toward civic education and tolerance. Any analysis of democracy in Africa must recognize the symbolic and spiritual dimensions of authority.”