Boko Haram in the light of the Islamic educational system in Nigeria

Radicalism, Fanaticism and Fundamentalism are few terms that have become not only popular, but also attributed to the Islamic religion after the tragic event of September 11, 2001. This event led to a surge of research on the linkages between Islam, Terrorism and the Middle East as the majority of the terrorist attacks and perpetrators were concentrated there. However, recent figures suggest that no single state can claim to be safe from terrorist attacks. The economy and the sociopolitical environment within Nigeria has been jeopardized and negatively impacted in the last eight years alone by the activities of a radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram. The sect is demanding the return of Nigeria to the fundamentals of Islam both socially and religiously. There is little doubt that young people play a significant role in the ranks of Boko Haram. It is from such revelation, that this study came about. This study sought to highlight aspects of the curricula of the Islamic educational system in Nigeria that may lead to insensitivity and intolerance against other religious groups and may contribute to paving the way for sectarian violence and religious motivated terrorism in Nigeria. Due to unavailability of primary source data that links Radicalization and Islamic education in Nigeria, the study relied on myriad of secondary literature on Islamic education in Nigeria and youth radicalization. The findings of this study have demonstrated that the Islamic educational curriculum in Nigeria provides an important tool for understanding the local youth radicalization. As part of the curricula, students learn Prophetic Biography which highlights the Prophet and his disciple’s bravery, valor and how their actions are favored by God. The highlighted features have been used to promote vilification and discrimination against non-Muslims. Additionally, this study has shown that Mallams and Religious leaders revered by their communities due to their knowledge of Islamic teachings occupy a position that can be used to foment sectarian conflict and violence. The findings of this study have also brought to light on the origin as well as content of some of the Islamic textbooks in Nigeria, in that they are donated by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States and with some having chapters that tend to create negativity and enmity between Muslims and non-Muslims. The study further demonstrates that the activities and utterances of rogue preachers on Islamic superiority over other religions are prone to lead to vilification and discrimination against non-Muslims. Finally, the study has shown that even though the primers of the Islamic educational system in Nigeria are not about wars they are likely to have contributed to an increased ideological intolerance for Non-Muslims that has paved the way for sectarian violence and religious motivated terrorism in Nigeria