CHURCH AND STATE

The Church, from its inception, had been a beacon of hope, transformation and development in society. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the relationship between the church and state in Nigeria between 1960 and 2020. The study adopted a critical investigation into the relationship that existed between the church and the Nigerian nation in the areas of education, politics, morality, agriculture and human empowerment, interwoven with historical and phenomenological approaches in the process of writing. It also embraced a comprehensive understanding of some aspects of works that are unpublished, critical reviews of textbooks, articles in journals, newspapers, as well as data from the internet. The findings of the study illuminated how the relationship between the Church and Nigerian nation had engendered collaboration for growth and development in the area of education, agriculture, politics and moral development of the Nigerian citizenry through character and spiritual training, fair treatment of children, youth empowerment and eradication of women marginalization. It was recommended that the church has ability to foster group cohesion, nurture and sustain reciprocity among members of any community. Therefore, Christian congregations are expected to serve and deal with the social needs of their community. Also, the Nigerian Government should deem it necessary to always embrace the church in matters concerning the public and politics because the church influenced politics not only by ruling power but in so far as it served the communities in which it lives