In recent times, troubling statements have increasingly surfaced in parts of southeastern Nigeria suggesting that certain religions “do not belong” to particular people or regions. Phrases such as “Islam is not our lifestyle,” “this religion is not for our people,” or “people are paid to become Muslims” reflect a level of ignorance that should have no place in a modern, educated society.
Religion is not a tribe. It is not an ethnic identity, a regional culture, or a geographical possession. Religion is a personal choice grounded in belief and conscience. To assign any faith to a particular ethnic group whether Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, or any other is to misunderstand both history and religion itself.
Historically, neither Christianity nor Islam originated in Nigeria, let alone in any specific region of the country. Christianity emerged in the Middle East, while Islam began in Arabia. Even African traditional religions evolved through migration, interaction, and cultural exchange over time. By the logic that a religion must originate in a place to be practiced there, no religion can claim exclusive ownership of any Nigerian region.
Sacred texts themselves reject ethnic ownership of faith. The Qur’an states, “There shall be no compulsion in religion; the right path has become distinct from error” (Qur’an 2:256). Similarly, the Bible affirms that there is neither Jew nor Greek in matters of faith, emphasizing spiritual equality across peoples. Religion, by its nature, transcends bloodlines and geography.
More concerning, however, are recent threats and hostile rhetoric directed at Muslims in parts of the East. Openly threatening individuals with violence because of their religious identity is both morally wrong and legally indefensible. Nigeria’s Constitution is explicit on this matter. Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the right to change one’s religion. Any attempt to intimidate or exclude citizens on the basis of faith is a direct violation of this constitutional right.
History shows that religious conflicts rarely begin with physical violence; they often start with careless words, stereotypes, and the silence of those who should know better. When such hostility escalates and affected communities later defend themselves, narratives are sometimes distorted to portray them as aggressors, ignoring the initial provocation. This dangerous double standard fuels resentment and deepens division.
It is often argued that Christians cannot freely practice their faith in northern Nigeria. While challenges and isolated incidents exist, it is dishonest to ignore the visible reality of large churches, long-standing Christian communities, and decades of peaceful coexistence across many northern states. The truth is that intolerance, where it exists, is not the monopoly of any one region or religion.
In the Southeast, another uncomfortable reality persists: many Muslims struggle to acquire land for mosques because landlords refuse to sell once the intended use is disclosed. In such environments, some buyers purchase land without stating its purpose and later build places of worship. The real question is not whether this is deceptive, but whether it is a form of survival in a hostile setting. Discrimination creates coping mechanisms; it does not eliminate belief.
From an Islamic theological perspective, faith is ultimately a matter of divine will. The Qur’an states, “You do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills” (Qur’an 28:56). Persecuting people for embracing a faith is therefore not an act of cultural defense but a challenge to divine authority itself. History repeatedly confirms that persecution does not destroy religion; it often accelerates its spread.
Globally, Islam continues to grow in Europe and the United States, not through coercion but through conviction. Even in highly restrictive societies, belief persists despite severe repression. These realities demonstrate that religion cannot be contained by borders, ethnicity, or intimidation. This is not an argument against Christianity, nor is it propaganda for Islam. It is a call for honesty, restraint, and intellectual responsibility. Education must reflect in reasoning. Ignorance cannot be defeated with threats, and faith cannot be erased with hatred. As philosopher John Locke once observed, no one can be forced into salvation.
Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians. Religious freedom is not a privilege to be granted by communities; it is a constitutional right. Our real enemy is not religion, but ignorance. And until that ignorance is confronted with knowledge and fairness, national unity will remain fragile.
Dr. Gidado Abdulkarim Salimon.
No 1b Halal Street Daudu Islamic Village, Ilorin kwara state.