THE ROLE OF ISLAM IN TACKLING THE CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria as a country in Africa which was formerly under the British Colonial Masters formally acquired her independence and sovereign status that enabled her to make and enforce law within her jurisdiction in October 1, 1960. The state is usually charged with a myriad of functions aimed at improving the good life of her citizens. Several years after the attainment of political independence, the Nigeria state has continued to face enormous challenges in her nation building effort to the extent that the majority of the people still wallow in despair and hopelessness. Nation building represents an integral effort through which nations engaged in the search for nationhood. It involves the process of developing national consciousness instead of ethnic chauvinism among groups and individuals who are expected to develop a sense of oneness and law for their fatherland. This study adopted qualitative, descriptive approach. The findings of the study revealed that the effort of the Nigerian State in the present country has not fully been adequate as the majority of the people still feel alienated. Consequent upon this, the state has been faced with daunting challenges on her nation building efforts. It is argued that even with restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria in May, 1999, nation building effort in the country has continued to live much to be desired. The paper therefore opined that nation building is a task that must be done. The avenues for moving forward have been explored but none seems to be loftier than the religious means, more importantly the Islamic principles and ideals such as imbibing in the divine messages as contained the Holy Books of Allah, Quran and Hadith (Prophetic traditions) which encourage good moral etiquettes maintaining of justice among the citizens, peaceful co-existence of all irrespective religious differences among the citizens. Also, it also condemns corruption and encourages sufficient productivity among human beings and provides sound education for every citizen. Above all, it provides a good governance for the people of Nigeria in order to build a virile and strong nation.