The Impact of Globalization and Modernity on Cultural and Religious Values on Muslim Settlers in Elele (Ikwerre), Nigeria

This study examines the impact of modernity and globalization on the cultural, religious, and economic lives of Muslim settlers in Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. It focuses on a historically rooted but understudied Muslim minority community in southern Nigeria and explores how global forces and modern social transformations have reshaped religious practices, cultural identity, and economic activities. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative questionnaire data collected from Muslim settlers and selected indigenes of Elele. It is anchored in acculturation and modernization theories to analyze processes of cultural adaptation and socio-economic change. Findings reveal that modernity and globalization have significantly influenced religious observance, dress patterns, intergenerational attitudes toward Islam, and economic diversification among Muslim settlers. While technological advancement and global economic networks have expanded livelihood opportunities and enhanced social mobility, they have also generated tensions regarding cultural preservation, religious commitment, and community cohesion. Younger generations demonstrate hybrid identities shaped by both Islamic traditions and global cultural influences. The study further identifies challenges related to identity maintenance, educational choices, and social integration within a rapidly changing environment. The paper concludes that the experience of Muslim settlers in Elele reflects broader dynamics of cultural negotiation in contemporary African societies and underscores the need to sustain cultural heritage while engaging the opportunities presented by modernity and globalization.