EKPOMA REVIEW

In this paper, we assess some factors that are obstacles to healthy Christian – Muslim relations in a pluralistic society such as Nigeria. For several years there have been crises between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, most especially in the northern part. Christianity and Islam are two of the three major religions in Nigeria, the African Traditional Religion being the third. Suf?ce to point out here that Christians, Muslims, and adherents of the African Traditional Religion live together, buy and sell in the same markets, work in of?ces together, and sometimes even inter-marry in various communities in Nigeria. In this kind of scenario one still wonders the sometimes show of hatred between Christians and Muslims. Tracing historically the two religions under focus it is pertinent to note that both religions are called the religions of the Book and share a common heritage. The research methodology adopted here are socio-historical, and evaluative approaches. One of the research ?ndings is that authentic education of adherents by both religions is the panacea to healthy relations between the Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. This work concludes with the fact that the existing religious climate in Nigeria is a direct result of certain actions, utterances, and insinuations all of which are preventable. This is to suggest that if Nigerians are sincere in their quest for religious harmony and peaceful co-existence, the ?rst step is to address the issue of factors, which are inimical to religious unity and peaceful co-existence. Subsequently, the ?nal solution becomes easily attainable.

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