home 2018 Atheist Humanism Isaiah Nigeria Religion.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: If you could take a single person in Nigeria who has spread humanism the most, who is it? Why them?
Isaiah Akorita: Leo Igwe. I choose him because at the time when most of us were still finding our feet in this highly religious atmosphere, Leo Igwe was already championing the fight against child abuse in the form of witchcraft accusations and taking his activism into the international community.
Jacobsen: How do the youth view religion in Nigeria? Is humanism more of a minority belief system than the others?
Akorita: Religion is still a very huge part of the life of the youths in Nigeria. Our university campuses are filled with religious fellowships. Humanism is still a tiny minority in Nigeria.
Jacobsen: Are the youth more likely to reject religion than the older generations?
Akorita: Yes. We have accounts of many youths who have started questioning their religious upbringing due to contact with Humanists and atheists on social media. We can’t say the same for the older generations.
Jacobsen: How do the irreligious in Nigeria mobilize and bring themselves together for a common front in the light of the massive ‘lobby’ for the religious in the country?
Akorita: We are only just starting to take our activism beyond social media into the offline socio-political sphere. We hope to have a powerful voice soon and so far, it is looking good for us.
Jacobsen: How does religion influence politics in Nigeria?
Akorita: Oh. Our politics cannot be separated from the two major religions here. Christianity and Islam have a firm grip on the policies of this country.
Jacobsen: Any final thoughts or feelings?
Akorita: I think the Humanist movement in Nigeria is starting to gain serious traction and I’m hopeful we’ll start to make serious impacts soon. With the formation of the Atheist Society of Nigeria and the soon to be approved Humanist Association, we’re definitely on the right track.
Jacobsen: Thank you for your time, Isaiah.
Side note: As of the date of this publication, the Humanist Association of Nigeria has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria.
Labels: 2018, Atheist, Humanism, Isaiah, Nigeria, Religion.