Dialogue of Social Encounter: Toward Transforming Interreligious Conflict in Nigeria

precis: This essay investigates the causes of interreligious conflicts in Nigeria and the contribution of nonviolent communication to dialogue of social encounter toward achieving authentic religious freedom in Nigeria. The see, judge, and act methodology has been employed to examine the relevant literature drawn from Nigeria and beyond. Through seeing and judging, the essay engages in a critical evaluation of some literature that explains the causes of interreligious conflict and the situation of religious freedom in Nigeria. To move from theory to practice (act), it further examines nonviolent communication and explains how it can contribute to interreligious dialogue that promotes social encounter toward authentic religious freedom. It argues that greed, the struggle for economic resources, and violent communication—such as moralistic judgments, labeling, criticisms, and inadequate awareness of shared human needs—all contribute to interreligious conflicts. Additionally, nonviolent communication that is focused on identifying and satisfying human needs—the core of our common humanity—provides a skill set that promotes interreligious dialogue of social encounter and authentic religious freedom.