OHAZURUME - Unizik Journal of Culture and Civilization

Religion, the social institution which deals with man's relationship with the supernatural, has so much force that it has made meaningful contributions to political transformations in Africa. The diversity of religious beliefs and practices has played a pivotal role in shaping its political landscape. Kiros (2002), writing about the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, observed that "the church's teachings, values, and organizational structures have provided a foundation for Ethiopian national identity and have been instrumental in the country's resistance against foreign domination" (p.208). In the same vein, different religious leaders in Nigeria have, at various times and in different government regimes, influenced government policies that have made positive impact on the lives of Nigerians. This paper explores the role that religion has played in the political transformation of Africa. It will highlight how religion serves as a source of identity and mobilization and its impact on human rights and political reforms. Theories of social identity and resource mobilization will be used and data exploited from books, journal articles and Internet resources. The paper concludes that religion, if given the pride of place, will help to transform Africa in the foreseeable future.

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