THE ROLE OF THE MAJOR RELIGIONS IN NIGERIA IN COMBATING GLOBAL WARMING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

Global warming presents Nigeria with severe ecological, economic, and social risks, including desertification, flooding, food insecurity, displacement, and pressure on already fragile infrastructure. Because religion remains one of the most influential sources of moral authority and collective mobilisation in Nigeria, the country’s major religious traditions—Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion—occupy a strategic position in climate action. This paper examines the doctrinal, ethical, institutional, and practical roles these religions can play in combating global warming in the twenty-first century. It argues that religious actors contribute through environmental education, moral persuasion, community mobilisation, tree planting, waste reduction, disaster response, advocacy for climate justice, and support for public policy. The paper also identifies major barriers, including limited climate literacy, theological fatalism, prosperity-oriented teachings, weak institutional coordination, poverty, and dependence on fossil-fuel-based livelihoods. It concludes that Nigerian religions will be most effective when they translate creation-centred theology and Islamic stewardship into measurable congregational and community-level climate programmes, while collaborating with government, civil society, scientists, and international partners.