Christianity: Nigeria has the largest Christian population of all of Africa. 74.1% of christian Nigerians are protistant.
Belief System: Monotheistic Name of God: Lord/God Founder: Jesus Christ in around 30 C.E. Denominations: Major: Catholicism, Protistantism, Eastern Orthodoxy. Minor: Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Restorationism Holy Text: Bible (New and Old testiment) Place of Worship: Church, Cathedral, or Perish (Name depends on Denomination) Moral Code: The golden rule, faith, and prayer. Number of Adherants in Nigeria: 85 million plus.
Islam: 56% of Nigerians are Muslim. This makes Nigeria one of the states with the biggest population of Islams in Africa. The majority of Nigerians classify as Sunni muslims, with only 2 million classifying as Shi`ite muslims. There are other denominations that are less popular, but still existent in Nigeria that will be discussed below.
Belief System: monotheistic Name of God: Allah Founder: Muhammed in 610 AD Denominations: Shi`ite, Sunni, Sufis, Baha'i Holy Text: Quaran Place of Worship: Mosque The picture above is of the Islamic Symbol Moral Code: The five pillars of Faith:
Shahadah: Declaring faith for Allah
Salat: Pray five times daily.
Zakat: Make donations to the unfortunate.
Sawm: Durring the month of Ramadan, one must fast.
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Number of Adherants in Nigeria: Around 80 million people.
Minor Religions and Islamic Denominations in Nigeria:
Less Common Denominations of Islam in Nigeria:
Sufi: This denomination focuses on mysticism and mixing the Islamic faith with dancing, and music. The adherents to this denomination often form groups with fellow believers, called "tariqas".
Uncommon Religions in Nigeria: Yoruba Religion: Lead by a figure form called an oba, this reserved way of life joins religious belifs and government together. The Oba is resposible for the well being and safety of his subjects.
Hinduism: This religion was spread to Nigeria mainly through the migration of Hindus from India to act as Missionaries. There is a total of 25,000 Hindus in Nigeria, with most of the population living in Lagos, the former capital.
Bahá'í Faith: This religion's important beliefs include the oneness of God and religion, equality of sexes, importance of education, development of spiritual qualitys, and harmony between science and religion. The spread of this religion to Sub-Saharan Africa commensed in 1950, increasing in the acceloration durring the 1960s. Once settled in Nigeria, this religion was slowly accepted, with a current Bahá'í population of 38,172.