Faith-Based Organizations: Instruments for Achieving Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the role and contribution of religious organizations to sustainable development in Nigeria. It is theoretical in nature and the review is based on secondary materials. It also focuses on the Concept, Types, Roles, and Functions of Religious Organizations as instruments for achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. The main argument in this paper is the distinctiveness and superiority of Religious Organizations over secular organizations in achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper provides an avenue for identifying the contributions of Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) as alternative to secular theory of development in Nigerian development sector, especially as they are emerging as important center for mobilizing civil societies in the country. This study identified various religious organizations that contributed to the sustainable development in Nigeria which include Joint Youth Islamic Organization (JYIO), Jama’atulIzalatulBid’aWaIqamatusSunnah (JIBWIS), Christian Rural and Urban Development of Nigeria (CRUDAN) Foundation for Muslim Welfare (FMW), Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim Corps Association of Nigeria (MCAN), Sisters Da’awa Group (SDG), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) etc. The paper shows that religious organizations offer various opportunities for reaching the poor in grassroots level by the virtue of their moral acceptance and legitimacy in communities.