RELIGIOUS REVIVAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE: A HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Pentecostal movement in Nigeria has evolved from a marginal religious expression into a major force shaping the nation’s spiritual, social, and public life. This paper examines the historical development of Pentecostalism and its relationship with social change, tracing its roots from early indigenous revivalist movements, particularly the Aladura churches, through mid-twentieth-century global Pentecostal influences, to the rise of Neo-Pentecostalism from the 1980s onward. Using historical and sociological perspectives, the study analyses Pentecostal theology, leadership patterns, and institutional innovations, and how these have interacted with Nigerian society. It highlights contributions to moral reorientation, economic aspiration, political engagement, and the reshaping of social values, with particular attention to charismatic leadership, the prosperity gospel, faith-based education, and the Pentecostal redefinition of success. At the same time, the paper acknowledges critical concerns surrounding commercialisation, excesses, and doctrinal manipulation. It concludes that Pentecostalism in Nigeria functions not only as a religious revival but also as a significant catalyst for social transformation, illuminating the dynamic relationship between faith and development in contemporary African contexts.