Nigeria is a country with a strong religious identity and a vibrant spiritual culture. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, Nigeria ranks second among the countries that pray daily, with 95% of its population saying they pray at least once a day. Only Ethiopia has a higher percentage of daily prayer, with 98%.
What makes Nigeria such a prayerful nation? There are several factors that contribute to this phenomenon, such as:
- The diversity of religious beliefs and practices. Nigeria is home to various faiths, including Christianity, Islam, and traditional African religions. Each of these religions has its own rituals, customs, and forms of prayer that enrich the spiritual life of Nigerians.
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The challenges and opportunities of living in a developing country. Nigeria faces many social, economic, and political issues, such as poverty, corruption, insecurity, and ethnic conflicts. These challenges often drive Nigerians to seek divine intervention and guidance through prayer. At the same time, Nigeria also has many potentials and resources that inspire Nigerians to express gratitude and optimism through prayer.
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The influence of family and community. Nigerians value their relationships with their families and communities, which often serve as sources of support and encouragement. Prayer is a way of strengthening these bonds and sharing common values and aspirations. Prayer also helps Nigerians cope with personal and collective problems and celebrate joys and achievements.
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One of the benefits of prayer that Nigerians experience is its positive impact on their mental health. Prayer can help Nigerians cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges that they may face in their daily lives. Prayer can also provide Nigerians with a sense of meaning, purpose, and direction, especially in times of uncertainty and crisis. Prayer can also foster positive emotions, such as joy, peace, and gratitude, that can enhance the well-being and happiness of Nigerians.
There are different ways that Nigerians practice prayer and experience its effects on their mental health. Some Nigerians pray individually or in groups, using formal or informal language, following specific or spontaneous formats, and using various postures and gestures.
Some Nigerians also use music, art, dance, or other forms of expression to communicate with God and express their feelings. Some Nigerians also combine prayer with meditation, mindfulness, or other techniques that can help them relax and focus their attention.
Prayer is not a magic solution that can solve all the problems or cure all the illnesses that Nigerians may face. Prayer is also not a substitute for professional help or medical treatment when needed. However, prayer can be a powerful tool that can complement and support the mental health of Nigerians in various ways.
Prayer is more than just a religious duty or a personal habit for Nigerians. It is a way of life that reflects their identity, culture, and worldview. Prayer is also a means of communication and connection with God, who is seen as the ultimate source of hope and help for Nigerians.
Global Corruption Index in 2023
Meanwhile, here is the latest global corruption index. The Global Corruption Index (GCI) is a ranking of countries based on their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The index, which is published annually by Transparency International, scores countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
According to the latest edition of the GCI, released in December 2023, the world is witnessing a worrying decline in the fight against corruption. More than two-thirds of the 180 countries and territories included in the index scored below 50, indicating a serious problem of corruption in their public institutions. The average global score was 43, down from 45 in 2022.
The top performers in the GCI were Denmark, New Zealand, Finland, Singapore and Sweden, all scoring above 85. These countries have strong and independent institutions, effective rule of law, high levels of transparency and accountability, and a culture of integrity among their citizens and officials.
Corruption is one of the major challenges facing Nigeria’s development. According to Transparency International, Nigeria ranked 149 out of 180 countries in the 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25 out of 100.
Corruption affects every aspect of the Nigerian society, from the public sector to the private sector, from the federal level to the local level, from the political sphere to the economic sphere. Corruption undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust, wastes public resources, distorts market competition, and hampers social and economic progress.
Causes of corruption in Nigeria
There are many factors that contribute to the prevalence and persistence of corruption in Nigeria. Some of these factors are historical, cultural, political, institutional, and structural. Some of the most common causes of corruption in Nigeria are:
Colonial legacy: Nigeria was colonized by Britain for over a century, during which the colonial administration exploited the natural resources and human capital of the country for their own benefit. The colonial system also introduced a centralized and authoritarian governance structure that concentrated power and wealth in the hands of a few elites, while marginalizing and oppressing the majority of the population.
The colonial system also created artificial boundaries and divisions among the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria, which fostered ethnic rivalry and conflict. These colonial legacies have continued to shape the political and economic landscape of Nigeria after independence, creating a culture of impunity, patronage, nepotism, and rent-seeking among the ruling elites.
- Weak institutions: Nigeria has a weak institutional framework that is unable to effectively prevent, detect, investigate, prosecute, and sanction corrupt practices. The institutions that are supposed to uphold the rule of law, such as the judiciary, the police, the anti-corruption agencies, and the electoral commission, are often compromised, politicized, underfunded, understaffed, and under-equipped.
The institutions that are supposed to provide public services, such as health, education, water, electricity, and infrastructure, are often inefficient, ineffective, unaccountable, and inaccessible. The institutions that are supposed to regulate the private sector, such as tax authorities, customs officials, auditors, and regulators, are often corrupt themselves or susceptible to bribery and extortion. The institutions that are supposed to promote civic participation and oversight, such as civil society organizations (CSOs), media outlets, and whistleblowers.
The worst performers in the GCI were Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen, all scoring below 15. These countries are plagued by conflict, instability, poverty and weak governance, creating fertile ground for corruption to thrive. They also suffer from widespread human rights violations, violence and repression.
The GCI also reveals some notable changes in the rankings of some countries compared to the previous year. Some of the most improved countries were Ecuador, Greece, Myanmar and Sudan, which increased their scores by more than five points. Some of the most deteriorated countries were Afghanistan, Lebanon, Malawi and Turkey, which decreased their scores by more than five points.
The GCI is not only a measure of corruption, but also a tool for advocacy and action. It highlights the need for governments, civil society, businesses and citizens to work together to combat corruption and promote integrity. It also provides a basis for monitoring progress and holding leaders accountable for their commitments and actions.