ENHANCING SOCIETAL VALUES THROUGH RELIGIOUS ETHICS: THE NIGERIA EXPERIENCE

Abstract

This study examined how religious ethics helped in improving societal values in Nigeria. Societal values such as such as respect, kindness, honesty, and hard work are seen as the good ways people behave. These values help people to live in peace and grow together. However, in recent years, these values have been fading in many parts of Nigeria. The study surmises that even though many Nigerians follow religion—Christianity, Islam, or African Traditional Religion, the right values were not always seen in their actions. Many people who claim to believe in God still cheat, lie, or act contrary to expected virtues in the society. This shows a big gap between religious teachings and real behavior. The study also explains how true religious ethics, like love, truth, and fairness, could help bring back these good societal values. It stresses that if people truly practice what their religions teach, Nigeria could become more peaceful, united, and morally strong. The study touches on some challenges that impede the expected societal change. These include bad examples from leaders, fake teachings, too much focus on money in churches and mosques, and the use of religion for political gain. These problems make people lose trust in religion. The study concludes that for religion to help society, both leaders and followers must live right and practice what they preach. If this happens, religion can play a strong role in fixing moral problems and building a better Nigeria.