CONTRIBUTIONS OF FAITH-BASED ASSOCIATIONS TOWARDS EDUCATION AND PEACE-BUILDING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explores the multifaceted contributions of Faith-Based Associations (FBAs) to education and peace-building initiatives in the context of community development in Nigeria. Two research questions and hypotheses each guided the study. A descriptive survey design was employed. The population of the study was FBAs that operate in the northern states of Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina and Zamfara respectively. Hence, a sample of four hundred and sixty (460) was selected. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics of frequency, mean and standard deviation were used to present the Descriptive data, while a dependent t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that there was a significant difference in the mean response scores on the contributions of FBAs toward educational development in the North-west geopolitical zone, Nigeria. Also, a significant difference was found in the mean respondents’ score on the contributions of FBAs towards conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the North-west geopolitical zone, Nigeria. Moreover, the study established that FBAs play a pivotal role in educational development, conflict resolution, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of social cohesion. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government should collaborate with FBAs towards expanding educational access, especially in underserved and remote areas, by establishing more schools and providing scholarships or financial aid to students from disadvantaged backgrounds; FBAs should work towards establishing and expanding community-based conflict resolution mechanisms, which can provide a peaceful and accessible means of addressing disputes at the grassroots level.