Socio-Religious Education as a Catalyst for Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion in Nigeria

Abstract

Societies which are ethnically, religiously, and culturally diverse still experience tensions that endanger peaceful coexistence and sustainable development. Although religion is frequently connected with identity-related conflicts, it also has a great deal of potential to help promote reconciliation, tolerance, and social cohesion if it is incorporated into educational processes that stress dialogue, mutual respect, and common human values. This study looks at socio-religious education as a means of achieving peacebuilding and social cohesion by using a qualitative method. Based on secondary data from academic publications, policy papers and reports issued by international organisations, the study used thematic content analysis to investigate how socio-religious education influences attitudes, behaviours and relationships that lead to peaceful coexistence. The results show that socio-religious education fosters intercultural understanding, religious tolerance, empathy, respect for diversity, a sense of civic responsibility and non-violent methods of resolving conflict. The study also finds that interfaith dialogue, value-based education, inclusive curricula and community involvement are key mechanisms by which socio-religious education helps to reduce prejudice, prevent violent extremism and build up social trust. Yet the effectiveness of socio-religious education is limited by religious intolerance, the politicisation of religion, weak educational policies, insufficient teacher training, socioeconomic inequalities and the spread of misinformation via digital media. The study concludes that socio-religious education is a valuable tool for creating inclusive, resilient and peaceful societies by developing values that go beyond ethnic and religious divisions. It suggests that governments, educational institutions, religious organisations, civil society organisations and development partners should work together to design inclusive socio-religious educational programmes which promote peace education, intercultural competence, democratic citizenship and social justice. Improving socio-religious education in both formal and non-formal educational settings will make a significant contribution to conflict prevention, sustainable peacebuilding and greater social cohesion in increasingly pluralistic societies such as Nigeria.