ZIIBALOGZII AND BIBLICAL KOINONIA: COMPLEMENTARY PARADIGMS FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Interreligious dialogue remains an essential avenue for fostering peace, understanding, and cooperation in diverse religious contexts. In Nigeria, where religious pluralism presents both opportunities and challenges, finding frameworks that promote unity amidst diversity is crucial. This paper examines the potential of two paradigms—Ziibalogzii and Biblical Koinonia—as complementary models for fostering interreligious dialogue in Nigeria. Ziibalogzii, a concept rooted in the cultural heritage of the Ogoni people of Nigeria, with its emphasis on communal relationships, interconnectedness, and mutual respect, provides an ethical foundation for dialogue. Similarly, Biblical Koinonia, grounded in Christian teachings of fellowship, mutual love, and shared participation, offers a theological basis for building bridges across religious divides. Adopting a descriptive method, the paper argues that these paradigms, though arising from distinct cultural and religious traditions, embody complementary principles that can help bridge divides between Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions (ATR) in Nigeria. By addressing historical tensions and contemporary challenges to coexistence, Ziibalogzii and Koinonia together offer a holistic framework for fostering dialogue based on shared values of community, respect, and mutual flourishing. The study further demonstrates how integrating these paradigms can inspire practices that promote solidarity, reconciliation, and cooperation among Nigeria's religious communities. Furthermore, this paper highlights how these indigenous and biblical models provide context-specific solutions to conflicts while advancing universal principles of peace and coexistence. Ultimately, the synergy between African communal ethics and Christian fellowship reimagines interreligious engagement as a partnership aimed at building a harmonious and inclusive Nigerian society. This study contributes to the broader discourse on interreligious dialogue by proposing innovative approaches that align with Nigeria’s unique ethico-cultural and religious landscape.