My 2021 trip to Nigeria was a whirlwind of vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and a lot to think about. While the towering megachurch billboards and Christian-themed street names were striking, it was the stark contrast with the surrounding poverty that left a lasting impression. Here were children braving rickety trains, a far cry from the school buses and crossing guards I'm used to. It made me wonder – is faith enough to save a nation?

As a spiritual person myself, I believe in a higher power. But I also believe in using the brains God gave us to reason and find solutions. Shouldn't faith and progress go hand-in-hand? In some areas, it felt like religion took center stage, while the infrastructure and social safety nets needed for basic well-being seemed neglected.

This experience also made me reflect on the history of Christianity in Africa. As a Black American, I'm acutely aware of how religion was used as a tool of oppression during slavery. Many African traditions were erased, replaced with a foreign belief system. So, is the Christianity practiced in Nigeria a true reflection of its people's original spirituality, or something else entirely?

I'm eager to hear from Nigerians in the comments! What are your thoughts on the role of religion in your society? Does it empower people or create roadblocks to progress? Let's have a respectful conversation about faith, hope, and the future of this incredible nation.