Abstract
The paper critically examined the multifaceted role of religion or religious education in shaping contemporary national security strategies, with a specific focus on its dynamic intersections with the four primary instruments of national power: information, diplomacy, military, and economics. The study advanced the argument that deliberate integration of religious education and religious institutions into national security policymaking can serve as a catalyst for enhanced stability, social cohesion, and the promotion of universal rights, particularly religious freedom. The paper demonstrated how religious education and religious institutions function as critical elements in security ecosystems. This influence extends from grassroots conflict mediation to shaping transnational ideological narratives. The research highlighted three key mechanisms through which religion intersects with security paradigms: as a normative framework influencing just war doctrines and ethical combat principles, as a network infrastructure enabling both radicalization and peace building, and as a socio-political force that can either challenge or legitimize state authority. The study further investigated the strategic value of engaging religious leaders and faith-based organizations in security architecture. The paper concluded with a set of actionable policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for developing religious literacy programmes within security agencies, establishing formalized channels for faith-based civil society participations in security policymaking, and implementing metrics to assess the impact of religious freedom on national stability indices.
2025-07-16
Vol. 1 Issue No. 1 July 2025
Articles
Religion, religious education, national security, conflict resolution, security policymaking
Vol. 1 Issue No. 1 July 2025
/ ArticleFaith as Force Multiplier: Integrating Religious Education and Religious Institutions into Nigeria's National Security Architecture
SHALLAH, Mahmud Malami
Department of Educational Psychology, Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi, Sokoto State
mahmudshallah@gmail.com
MAGAJI, Faruku
Department of Educational Foundations, Gidan Madi, Sokoto State
ATTAHIRU, Bilyaminu
Department of Educational Psychology, Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi, Sokoto State