Abstract
This study underscores the activities of prayer houses and their impact on human and economic development in Ibibio society and Nigeria as a whole. Notably, prayer houses play significant roles in shaping community life, providing spiritual guidance, and addressing social and economic challenges. Despite these contributions, they are often regarded as informal or unofficial religious institutions on the grounds that their activities promote an overreliance on spirituality perceived as superstitious and encourage the commercialization of religion. Furthermore, there are few empirical studies focusing on how prayer houses affect both the human and economic life of the Ibibio people, thereby creating a gap in scholarship concerning strategies for maximizing their positive contributions to human development.
This study adopted a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative surveys with an analysis of the activities of prayer house leaders and members, as well as their implications for Ibibio communities. The findings revealed a dual influence. On the one hand, prayer houses contribute positively by providing contextualized religious support, offering counseling services, encouraging mutual aid, and promoting microeconomic initiatives. On the other hand, certain practices may discourage the utilization of formal healthcare services and promote dependency on spiritual solutions to economic challenges. The study concluded that prayer houses are both socio-cultural assets and sites of contestation within development discourse. It recommended policy engagement with prayer house leaders to enhance their positive contributions in ways that strengthen, rather than divide, Ibibio society and the wider Nigerian society.
Keywords: Prayer houses, Commercialization, Informal religion, Human development, Spirituality, Economic development, Ibibio, Nigeria
Authors:
Dr. Mbosowo Bassey Udok
Department of Religious and Cultural Studies
University of Uyo, Nigeria
mbosowobudok@uniuyo.edu.ng, +2348038697029
Dr. Victor Bassey Edet
Department of Religious and Cultural Studies
University of Uyo, Nigeria
victorbedet@uniuyo.edu.ng, +2348063179374