Between Maitatsine and Boko Haram: Islamic Fundamentalism and the Response of the Nigerian State

Radicalization Fundamentalism Advocacy

Nigerians are a highly religious people, or so it seems. Religious sentiments and explanations, beyond being seen as the lifeblood of the people’s fundamental reality and daily experience, have been offered to justify even mundane or politically motivated situations (Enwerem 1999:123). More worrisome is the gradual but steady growth of religious fundamentalism or extremism beginning in the 1980s (Suberu 1997:477–508). Although the politicization of religion became stronger in the late 1970s, religious fears and the use of religion for propaganda have been important features of Nigeria.