Title: Faith, Power and Privilege: A Philosophical Inquiry into Bourgeoisie Instrumentalisation of Religion and Its Socioeconomic Implications in Nigeria
Authors: Auwalu Musa, PhD, Magajiya Tanko, PhD
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 173-182
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
Religion plays a central role in Nigerian society, influencing personal identity, political mobilisation, and public policy. This study explores the philosophical and theoretical dimensions of how the bourgeois elite manipulate religion to sustain power and reinforce socioeconomic hierarchies. Drawing from Machiavellian, Hobbesian, Marxist, Weberian, and postcolonial perspectives, the paper interrogates how religion is instrumentalised to legitimise inequality, suppress dissent, and entrench poverty. Machiavelli views religion as a strategic tool for maintaining political authority, while Hobbes emphasises its use in preserving order through fear. Marx's critique of religion as the "opiate of the masses" explains how spiritual ideology diverts attention from structural injustice. Weber's analysis reveals how religious values are appropriated to justify economic stratification, and postcolonial theory situates this manipulation within Nigeria's colonial legacy and global capitalist entanglements. Using qualitative content analysis of secondary sources, the study finds that religion in Nigeria is often commodified by elites to glorify wealth, marginalise the poor, and justify corrupt practices. From prosperity sermons to ethno-religious patronage networks, faith becomes a vehicle for elite privilege, distorting its original moral purpose and obstructing social justice. The paper argues for critical religious literacy, secular governance, and grassroots empowerment to challenge exploitative systems. By synthesising multiple philosophical frameworks, this study contributes to understanding how religious manipulation reinforces socioeconomic exclusion in Nigeria and offers pathways toward equitable development and democratic renewal.