Religious Tolerance and Interfaith Relations in a Multi-Religious University Community: A Study of the University of Abuja

This study examines the dynamics of religious tolerance and interfaith relations within the student and staff community of the University of Abuja, North Central Nigeria. As a federal institution drawing students from all geopolitical zones and religious backgrounds, the University of Abuja presents a microcosm of Nigeria's broader interfaith landscape. A descriptive survey design is employed, with data collected from 350 respondents comprising Muslim and Christian students, academic staff, and chaplaincy officers. Instruments include structured questionnaires measuring religious tolerance attitudes and semi-structured interview guides exploring lived experiences of interfaith interaction. Findings reveal that most respondents hold moderate to high levels of stated religious tolerance, yet report limited meaningful cross-religious social interaction in practice. Tolerance is largely passive, defined by the absence of hostility rather than the presence of genuine dialogue. The study identifies institutional chaplaincy programming, shared academic spaces, and interfaith student associations as the most significant positive factors in promoting genuine tolerance. Tensions are most often reported during elections for student union offices and during periods of national religious crises. The study recommends the establishment of a structured interfaith dialogue programme under university chaplaincy and the integration of religious pluralism content into general studies courses. Keywords: religious tolerance, interfaith relations, University of Abuja, pluralism, Christian-Muslim dialogue