JOSUGA: JOS JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES

This paper examines the historical undercurrents of colonialism and its role in the spread of Islam among the Aboro people of the Berom nation in the Jos Plateau. The Berom, traditionally impervious to Islamisation due to violent jihadist incursions in the 19th century, faced a new challenge with British colonial rule in the early 20th century. While most Berom rejected Islam because of its association with jihad, the Aboro subgroup peacefully incorporated the religion. This study focuses on the period from 1900 to 1960, examining the impact of British colonial policies, the role of the Hausa/Fulani emirs, and the social and trade dynamics that contributed to the gradual conversion of the Aboro people. By employing qualitative and historical methods, including archival research and oral histories, the paper demonstrates how colonialism, in partnership with Muslim elites, facilitated the spread of Islam and reshaped the religious landscape of the Jos Plateau. It highlights the contrast between earlier violent efforts at Islamisation and the more peaceful process of conversion, driven by interactions with Muslim traders and missionaries. The findings underscore the momentous role colonial policies played in transmuting the region’s socio-religious structure and the long-term impact of this collaboration on the local religious dynamics.

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