Political science had long considered religion increasingly irrelevant in social life [1]. This was despite the progressively self-evident occurrences in the reverse regard. Nevertheless, religion is a critical construct for understanding contemporary social life [2]. It
accordingly illuminates the everyday experiences and practices of many individuals; is a significant component of diverse institutional processes, including politics…and plays a vital role in public culture and social change. Consequently, the role of religion in society has recently been the subject of renewed empirical and experimental interest. The subsisting 1999 Nigerian Constitution (Section, 10) and indeed all the previous Nigerian Constitutions have specifically provided that, the Government of the Federation of Nigeria or of a State (in the federation) shall not adopt any religion as state religion. Hence, the generally held notion of secularity of the Nigerian state essentially derives from this constitutional provision. It is noted in any case, that the secularization worldview is not a Nigerian peculiarity. But central to the concerns of this study is the linkages between the secularism of the state in Nigeria and the seeming insularity of the citizens to political visibility, on the grounds of their ostensible religiosities and the attendant (constitutional) secular requirements.
N30K
