History of Department of Religions

This Department is one of the pioneering Departments in the University of Ilorin. It has been existing since the inception of the University in 1976, when it was known as Department of Arabic & Islamic Studies. Its name changed in 1977 to the Department of Religions due to the introduction of Christian Studies. During 1981/82 academic session the Senate of the University approved the introduction of Comparative Religious Studies as a degree programme in the Department, while Arabic Unit became an autonomous Department in 2004. 

Department of Religions has been headed by the following:

1. Prof. I.A.B. Balogun - 1976 – 1980
2. Dr. S.U. Erivwo - 1980 – 1982 
3. Dr. A.S. Talaat - 1982 – 1984
4. Professor P.A. Dopamu - 1984 – 1984
5. Professor P.A. Dopamu - 1988 – 1892
6. Professor R.D. Abubakre - 1992 – 1995
7. Professor Y.A. Quadri - 1995 – 1996
8. Dr. A.S. Agbetola - 1996 – 2000 
9. Professor Z.I. Oseni - 1997 – 1999
10. Professor R.A. Akanmidu - 1999 – 2000
11. Professor R.A. Raji - 2000 – 2001
12. Professor M.A. Ajetumobi - 2002 – 2003
13. Dr. H.I. Olagunju - 2003 – 2004
14. Dr. Oyeronke Olajubu - 2004 – 2005
15. Dr. A.M. Okorie - 2005 – 2006
16. Dr. R.W. Omotoye - 2006 – 2007
17. Dr. H.A. Abdulsalam - 2007 – 2009
18. Dr. P.O. Abioje - 2009 – 2010
19. Dr. B.O. Yusuf - 2010 – 2012
20. Professor Oyeronke Olademo - 2012 – 2015
21. Dr. H.A. Abdulsalam - 2015 – 2016 
22. Professor R.W. Omotoye - 9^th Nov., 2016 to date

Admission Requirements

i. Admission by Entrance Examination – UTME

The Entrance Examination is conducted by JAMB. In addition to attaining the required standard in the entrance examination, candidates must satisfy the general University as well as specific Faculty requirements. For the general requirement, candidates must obtain at least a credit pass in five subjects at S.S.C.E. O’Level or approved equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics at not more than two sitting (See tables for other faculty requirements).

ii. Admission by Direct Entry

1. A minimum of two passes at the Principal or Advanced Level. In addition, candidates must also obtain at least a credit pass in five subjects at S.S.C.E. or approved equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics at not more than two sittings.
2. A minimum of two passes in recognized NCE subjects. Education is accepted as a second A’ Level subject for those taking courses in Education. In addition, candidates must also obtain at least a credit pass in five subjects at S.S.C.E. or approved equivalent, including English Language and Mathematics at not more than two sittings.

Other conditions to note:

1. No subject may be counted at both O’ and A’ Levels.
2. General Paper at H.S.C. or in any other examination will not be accepted as a substitute for English Language.
3. A credit pass in English Language and Mathematics of the IJMB at the O’Level is acceptable as equivalent to SSCE/GCE O’Level for admission purpose.

I. B.A. CHRISTIAN STUDIES 

Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme

The Philosophy of B.A. Christian Studies is premised on the survival of the right type of attitude for the survival of the individual and the Nigerian society, and the training of the mind in the understanding of the contemporary World religion. The teaching of Christian Studies upholds moral values and virtues in the society at large. However, there are certain human challenges being encountered which scholars in the Nigerian universities are addressing in their research. Christian studies as an academic discipline is broad based and being studied by scholars in other related disciplines, such as, History, Law, Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Islamic studies and Education. It has become an interdisciplinary discourse that scholars in core sciences and Christian studies are having collaborating research in the Nigerian universities. This is a welcome development in the academic study of religion and science which were formerly seen as unrelated disciplines. Christianity is one of the three major religions in Nigeria. The adherents of the religion are found in the nooks and crannies of the country. It is germane, therefore, to give the study the necessary attention and space, especially in a multi-religious society like Nigeria.

Christian studies scholars specialize in different areas of study, such as Church History, Christian Theology, Old Testament and New Testament. The original language for a proper study of the Old Testament is Hebrew; while Greek is required for the New Testament, therefore, students are encouraged to show more interest in the understanding of the languages, so as not to go into extinction.

The Aims and Objectives of the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Studies are and not limited to the following:

1. To develop the students so as to understand Christianity and social implications of religions in general and Christianity in Africa in particular;
2. To produce high level manpower to teach Christian Religious Studies in secondary schools and tertiary institutions;
3. To equip the students’ intellect and to cultivate in them a scientific mind in the study of Christianity;
4. To expose the students to other great world religions in Nigeria while respecting the distinctiveness of each of the religions;
5. To unearth positive commonalities among the religions in Nigeria while respecting the distinctiveness of each of the religions;
6. To offer world class, non-sectarian religious learning and leadership;
7. To prepare the students for leadership and service in the country in particular;
8. To prepare students as workers in the various sectors of public administration, education and economy;
9. To pursue intellectual rigour and openness of quality academic work in Christian Studies; and
10. To be in the service of building a Nigeria where citizens can live and work together across religious and ethnic divides.

The objectives of the course are as follows:

1. To enable the students pursue courses in Christian Studies as an academic discipline and as a way of life;
2. To enable the students acquire a sound knowledge of Biblical Studies including the relevant languages such as Hebrew and Greek, the ethics etc;
3. To train the students in the history of the growth of the Church as an institution;
4.  To expose the students to the relevance of Christianity to Nigeria and the rest of West Africa;
5. To introduce a basis for sound interreligious understanding through exposure of students to courses in the other two religions relevant to Nigeria – i.e. Islam and African Traditional Religion; and
6. To prepare graduate teachers in Christian Studies for Nigerian Schools and Colleges.

1. Admission Requirements:

1. Minimum of five O/L passes or its equivalent including Christian Religious Studies and English Language for the UME candidates.
2. Minimum of two A/L passes including Christian Religious knowledge and three O/L passes or their equivalents including English Language.
3. Diploma in Religious Studies of the University of Ibadan.
4. Diploma in Theology of the University of London in addition to the mandatory GCE for Direct Entry.
5. Diploma in Religious Studies of any other recognized government tertiary institution.
6. Programme/Sub-Discipline/Discipline Structure to include period of formal studies in the University.

1. 4 years in the case of UTME students
2. 3 years in the case of direct entry students.

II. B.A. COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme

Comparative religious studies which, is also known as History of Religions, Scientific study of Religion and Sociology of Religion in other climes seeks to examine religion as a phenomenon thus appreciating the roles of Religions in societies. It has been a subject of study for over four decades in different Nigerian universities. Consequently, Comparative Religious Studies is concerned with similarities, differences and the way in which different religions interact in society. It is a field of study that provides understanding on religious harmony, inter-religious dialogue as well as the relevance of contemporary developments from the religious perspective. Such developments include science, media, bio-technology, the youth, sports and economics. The Department of Religions began the study of Comparative religion  in 1980 to cater for the aforementioned agendas. Comparative religious courses at the undergraduate level offer interdisciplinary overlaps with other fields like Christian Studies, Islamic Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Communication, History and Science.

The Philosophy of the programme is as follows:

Nigeria is a multi-religious nation state that has adherents of many religions interacting on daily basis in commerce and social activities, thus it is compelling that a study of these religions be prioritized, especially, an academic study that emphasise the similarities of these religions towards fostering unity of purpose for nation building.

Lately, the contemporary trends of relations in religion in Nigeria have warranted that some modules of the discipline be co-taught by expert in Islamic Studies, while guest lecturers from other academic disciplines are invited to teach aspects of some courses as required.

Comparative Religious Studies equips students with tools to negotiate identity formation and interaction in the universe because the study encompasses academic engagements in world religions such as Buddihism, Confucianism, Hinduism and New Age Movements. This is a crucial enablement in a globalized world and has salient implication for economic and political relevance in contemporary society. Thus a graduate of Comparative Religious Studies is equipped for relevance in the understanding of religions and the mutual respect of the religions.

The aims and objectives of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Religious Studies are:

1. To present the phenomenon of Religions and its multifaceted roles in the society, especially Nigeria;
2. To familiarize the students with details of world religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Confucianism, New Age Movements, etc.
3. To acquaint the students with tools for inter-religious dialogue as a panacea to religious conflict;
4. To prepare the students to understand the relationship of religions to science, economics and politics;
5. To sustain academic research in all issues affecting different religious communities in Nigeria and how these religions interact with one another.
6. To prepare the students for postgraduate studies in specific areas in Comparative Religious studies, especially areas that meet the need for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria; and
7. To produce graduates who will satisfactorily fit into the public and private sectors as administrators, communication executives, foreign affairs official, teachers and officers in the publishing industry.

Admission Requirements:

1. Minimum of five 0/L passes or its equivalent including one of the Religions i.e.  Islamic or Christian Studies and English Language for UME candidates;
2. Minimum of two A/L passes including one religion and three 0/L passes or their equivalents including English Language;
3. Diploma in Religious Studies of the University of Ibadan for Direct Entry in addition to the mandatory G.C.E. 0/L;
4. Diploma in theology of the University of London in addition to the mandatory G.C.E. 0/L for Direct Entry; and
5. Diploma in Religious or Islamic Studies of any other recognized government tertiary institution.

III. B.A. ISLAMIC STUDIES

Philosophy, Aims and Objectives of the Degree Programme

Man comprises of the body and soul. Any attempt to take care of the body leaving the soul unattended to will be disastrous. A means of taking care of the two components is through religion with particular reference to Islam. Since Islam is seen as a way of life and a religion, which touches all aspects of human endeavours, it is expected that teaching Islamic Studies at this level will be comprehensive in such a way that man’s spiritual, physical, social, economic and political needs will be satisfied. It is equally understandable that the universal nature of Islam and its dynamism call for scholarly ideological and intellectual activities but without jeopardizing the unique fundamentals of the religion; hence Islamic Studies as a programme in the University of Ilorin reflects these diversified nature of the field as well as the contemporary developments in the global scene. It, therefore, prepares students towards being relevant and functional in different sectors of the society and as well contributes their quota to national development. Furthermore, the all-encompassing nature of Islamic Studies as an academic discipline informs its close rapport with other disciplines such as Law, Sociology, Economics, History, Political Science, Political Science, Philosophy and other human and natural sciences. To this end, the study of Islam at the tertiary level is expected to provide an environment for the unity of knowledge regardless of its classification into secular or religious.

The aims and objectives of the programme are:

1. to enable students pursue courses in Islamic Studies as an academic discipline and as a way of life;
2. to enable students acquire a sound knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith literature including an ability to read the Islamic texts in the source language – Arabic;
3. to enable students to develop a spirit of enquiry and creativity through the exploration of nature and local environment as well as the scriptures, so that they become conscious of their responsibility to develop themselves and their environment for the benefit of the human race and attainment of felicity in the next world;
4. to train students in the history of the growth of Islamic Institutions for the purpose of using the experience to address issues affecting Nigeria as a nation;
5. to expose students to specific branches of Islamic Studies such as Islamic Theology, Philosophy, Ethics and Mysticism to facilitate mutual intra and inter-religious understanding;
6. to produce graduates who will advance the frontiers of knowledge through making Islam relevant to Nigerian situation and as well produce candidates who will be relevant in all spheres of life through their exposure to various areas of Islamic Studies like Islamic banking, finance, political thought and other contemporary issues;
7. to  acquaint students with appropriate means of promoting peaceful co-existence among adherents of other religions in Nigeria and the rest of Africa and give them a basis for sound inter-religious understanding through exposure to courses in the other two major religions practised in Nigeria i.e. Christian Studies and African Traditional Religion; and
8. to produce graduates who would not see teaching as the only profession they could fit in, but would as well be relevant in different establishments of administration, banking and finance institutions, media houses, Islamic legal departments and Foreign Service.

Admission Requirements:

1. Minimum of five O/L passes or its equivalent including Islamic Studies and English Language for the UME candidate.
2. Minimum of two A/L passes including Islamic Studies and three O/L passes or their equivalents including English Language.
3. Diploma in Islamic Studies of the University of Ibadan in addition to G.C.E. O/L in relevant subjects for Direct entry.
4. Diploma in Islamic Studies of any other recognized government tertiary institution.
5. Diploma in Islamic Studies of Bayero University, Kano.