VEJOH - VERITAS JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES

Prevailing negative ethical trends of decadence in the world are alarming. These trends exact pressure and pose great challenges to religious code of conduct. This paper intends to examine the relationship between religion and morality in Nigeria in comparative and thematic perspectives by exploring the moral standards of the three dominant religions in Nigeria namely African Traditional Religion, Islam and Christianity. The paper further explicates the deep moral values of the three religions by creating a sense of value and worth, making the obvious necessity to infuse the rich ethical norms they teach into forming an integral part of the societal code of conduct, solidifying the nexus between religion and morality. A cursory survey of the religious practices of youths and adults in Nigeria society reveals that it is nothing but copious lifestyles foreign to the local culture that castigates abhorrent behavior. The contends that three predominant religions ought to pave ways for the citizenry to imbibe the life styles, beliefs and practices they propagate citizens. The paper recommends the compulsory study of religion and morality as part of the General Studies programmes in Nigerian universities as well as the need for parents to be alive to the parental obligations as constituted authorities in homes and communities.

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