Let’s call a spade a spade.

Nigerian laws are technically secular, but Nigerians themselves are very religious people.

Did we lie?

According to this 2021 paper, most Nigerians are either Christian or Muslim, and traditional worship sharply declined in the early to mid-1900s. It also predicts that “the Muslim-identified population is likely on track to have become an absolute majority of Nigerian adults…”. So, religion is still growing.

In 2018, 56% of the Nigerian adult population was recorded as Christian, while Muslims made up 42%.

That left a measly 2% of people who didn’t identify with either.

Nigerians look to religious leaders for many things, especially personal matters.

Unless you use a flip phone and have no access to the internet, you’ve probably heard of religious resurrections, and leaders delivering people from infertility, ailments, and even poverty.

Some Nigerian universities have been erected on the bedrock of religion – Covenant University, Al-Hikmah University, etc – so it’s safe to say that faith has a strong foothold on the psyche of many Nigerians.

But, what about that 2%?

Sidebar: Nigeria’s horrendous lack of population data (the proposed 2023 national census is mentioned empty-handed on the National Population Commission site, like the depression left in the middle of your bed when you get up) makes it difficult to say definitively what the religious divide looks like right now.

It’s like the ogas have forgotten about this thing.

It is well.

Anyway, younger Nigerians (read: Gen Z and Young millennials) have been exposed to more influences growing up than previous generations due to the fairly recent invention of the internet, widespread adoption of traditional media, and globalisation.

It makes you think; has this casual exposure to different ways of living and a seemingly endless supply of information altered the status quo?

With the rising wave of secular ideals like feminism, and LGBTQ movements, in Nigeria, it seems like youth are looking beyond the scope of religion to shape their ideals.

So, as deep, philosophical and inquisitive scholars, we set out to speak to people with complex relationships with religion, and from the sheer amount of responses we received (over 30 people wanted to pitch in) on the subject, there is definitely a rising irreligious sentiment among young Nigerians.

Our respondents spoke about their upbringings, what religion meant and now means to them, why they left, how it went down (or didn’t) with family, if social media influenced them, what their faith is now, and what it’s like struggling with/navigating religion in such a religious climate.

Let’s have it, let’s have it.

Meet our Respondents

David – A 20-year-old Computer Science undergraduate and human rights activist schooling in Delta State who essentially grew up in church. From bible study and Sunday school to fervent nightly bedside prayers, David was there. But an incident in university, along with concerns about his sexuality, made him reconsider his upbringing.

Demi – Demi grew up with a Deacon for a dad and a Deaconess for a mum. She started speaking in tongues before she was 8, and at the start of the year, she resolved to become a better Christian. So, what changed? You’ll have to listen to find out, but all we’ll say is it involved Moses. Yes, the one from the bible.

Aminat – Growing up with a staunchly Muslim father and a devout Christian mother is something only a few can relate to, but Aminat took it all in stride. A day after Friday prayers, there was a good chance she would set out with her mum for Sunday service. Sallahs and Christmases were her jam, especially because she got to celebrate them with her 14 siblings. But when her parents split up, things changed, and so did her faith.

Their stories…

Well.

If you deep it, salvation is personal.

Ideally what you practice should be a choice you make every day for your spiritual and mental health, not something you do to maintain appearances or fit in, but Nigeria isn’t quite so black and white.

So, if you’re also struggling with faith, take solace in the knowledge that you’re not alone.

Navigating faith can be a complex journey, as you’ve heard, so, we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you explore your beliefs.

Remember, the goal is to encourage critical thinking and personal reflection, not to dictate what you should or shouldn’t believe in.

The Secular Nigerian Index

So, have you struggled with faith before? Do you consider yourself a humanist like David? Or does Demi’s disconnect from spirituality mirror something inside you?

We actually want to hear it, and who knows, you might find more like-minded people in the comments below!