Ecumenism and Doctrinal Diversity: Analysing the Christian Association of Nigeria’s Unity Framework

This study presents a critical analysis of the Christian Association of Nigeria's (CAN) institutional framework for managing doctrinal diversity and promoting Christian unity across Nigeria's highly fragmented denominational landscape. CAN represents over 70 million Nigerian Christians spanning Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, and African Instituted Church traditions, and its ability to articulate a coherent ecumenical vision despite profound theological differences has significant implications for Christian influence in Nigeria's public life. Using a qualitative institutional analysis design, data are gathered through document analysis of CAN foundational documents, annual reports, and policy statements, supplemented by twenty-five interviews with current and former CAN leaders from five denominations and four geopolitical zones. The study evaluates CAN's theological basis for unity, its mechanisms for managing doctrinal disputes, and the structural factors that limit or advance genuine ecumenical cooperation. Findings indicate that CAN functions primarily as a political and advocacy coalition rather than a theological ecumenical body, with doctrinal differences largely bracketed rather than constructively engaged. Unity is maintained through shared opposition to external pressures rather than a positive theology of Christian communion. The study recommends the development of a CAN theological commission with a mandate to facilitate structured ecumenical dialogue and produce common theological statements on key national issues. Keywords: ecumenism, Christian Association of Nigeria, denominational diversity, unity, Nigerian Christianity