Author(s):
Sarumi Rasheed Ajibade, Sarumirasheedajibade@yahoo.Com,

Abstract: This study examines the nature of ethno-religious tolerance among the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba. Religious fundamentalism and ethno-religious intolerance are, no doubt, undisputable factors that often instigate violence among these ethnic groups. While innumerable literatures have saturated the sphere of 'Religious Fundamentalism in Nigeria', 'Ethno-Religious Tolerance in Nigeria' has received little or no attention - what usually occur are blame games over the degree of religious intolerance among these ethnic groups. For example, the Hausa/Fulani of northern Nigeria are often accused of this inhumane atrocity. Therefore, this paper investigates the veracity of this and related accusations and counter accusations. In doing this, this work provides answers to the following questions : to what extent do Hausa/Fulani Muslims accommodate christianity in the North? Is there any discrepancy between the level of religious tolerance they give to Hausa and non Hausa Christians in the North? What is the attitude of Igbo/Delta Christians towrds Islam and its Igbo and non Igbo adherents in the south-east? What is the perception of Yoruba Christians on the religious activities of Yoruba and non Yoruba Muslims; and the perception of Yoruba Muslims on the religious activities of Yoruba and non Yoruba Christians in the South-west? What are the differences between the ethno-religious attitudes of these ethnics when they are in their homelands, and when they are away from their home lands? What is the nexus between religious intolerance and religious violence in Nigeria? What is the role of religion in intra-ethnic conflicts in Nigeria? Why do we have higher records of religious conflicts in the North? The outcome of these and other questions would complement the efforts of literatures on 'Religious Fundamentalism in Nigeria' in their endeavor to explain the causes of religious conflicts in Nigeria.