Irreligion in Nigeria

Irreligion in Nigeria is, according to Gallup, measured at two percent of the population.[1] Leo Igwe is one of the few prominent atheists in Nigeria.[2] As in many parts of Africa, there is a great amount of stigma attached to being an atheist.[3][4]

A 2010 poll by Pew Research Center showed that 51% of Nigerian Muslims agree with death penalty for leaving Islam.[5] In some parts of Nigeria, there are even apostasy laws.[6]

Case of Mubarak Bala

Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian atheist, was forcibly committed to a psychiatric institution in Kano for eighteen days in 2014, where he was forcibly drugged. One doctor suggested there was nothing wrong with Bala but a second doctor suggested a personality disorder. The International Humanist and Ethical Union has taken up the case and feels Bala's Human rights were violated.[7][8] "The real reason for this outrageous and inhumane action is because Mubarak has renounced Islam and has openly declared himself to be an atheist." [9] On 4 July 2014, the BBC reported that Bala had been released from hospital in conjunction with a doctors' strike, and was seeking reconciliation with his family. It was not yet clear if he would remain in Northern Nigeria, due to death threats.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism". Gallup. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  2. ↑ "The case for atheism". Vanguard. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  3. ↑ "Atheism in Nigeria". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  4. ↑ "No country for Nigerian ‘unbelievers’". The Punch. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  5. ↑ "Muslim Publics Divided on Hamas and Hezbollah". Pewglobal.org. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
  6. ↑ "Laws Penalizing Blasphemy, Apostasy and Defamation of Religion are Widespread | Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project". Pewforum.org. 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
  7. ↑ Nigeria atheist Bala 'deemed mentally ill in Kano state'
  8. ↑ Nigerian man detained in mental institute in Kano 'because he renounced Islam'
  9. ↑ "Nigerian atheist forced into mental hospital for rejecting Islam". Nigeria Sun. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Nigeria atheist Bala freed from Kano psychiatric hospital". BBC News. 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2014-07-04.