Overview:

• Recognition and registration are amalgamated rather than ideally differentiated; at the national level, the primary means of gaining recognition is by way of legal registration.

• Informational requirements for registration seem appropriate but will require continued monitoring to ensure they are not unduly expanded and are not misused by the state.

• Restrictions on religious activity vary from state to state which causes significant confusion and often contradictions exist between provincial and national authorities.

• Ongoing Islamist militancy spearheaded by groups like Boko Haram in the country have cause widespread fear in society and social discord, especially leading to inter-religious tensions.

• A unique situation of de facto state religion has been identified as occurring in some states which has caused significant restrictions on minority religious activity.

Positive elements:

• Nil

Recommendations:

• Dismantlement of the present apparatus of restrictions and policies put in place to inhibit certain forms of religious activity.

• Establishment of a recognition system whose decisions about recognition and registration permeate nationally in order to resolve inconsistencies between states that continue to plague the country’s unity.

• Establish a recognition agency that is able to act independent of government to manage recognition.