---
title: "Nigerian Muslims Self-Identify First with Their Religion"
description: "That's the huge proportion of Muslims in Nigeria who say their religion is more important to them than their identity as Africans, Nigerians or members of an ethnic group; nearly as many Christians, 76%, also name their religion as the most important factor in their lives. "
date: "2007-04-16"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2007/04/16/nigerian-muslims-self-identify-first-with-their-religion/"
---

# Nigerian Muslims Self-Identify First with Their Religion

Nigerian Muslims, are nearly unanimous (91%) in naming their religion, rather than their nationality, as the most important factor in their lives — a view shared by 76% ofChristians in Nigeria and a sharp reminder of the religious divide in Africa’s most populous country as it prepares for presidential and National Assembly elections on April 21. However, a 2006 survey conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, also found the appetite for major political change extends across the religious spectrum. Large majorities of both the country’s Christians (94%) and Muslims (97%) say they are dissatisfied with conditions, and the discontent extends to virtually every major secular institution.[Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/435/nigeria-presidential-election)