This study examines the influence of religion and ideology on economic growth in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. Acknowledging the role of religious beliefs and ideological values in shaping behavior, governance, and social cohesion, the research investigates their impact on local economic dynamics. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was applied to select 90 respondents across nine villages, representing Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. The findings show that religious teachings and ideological orientations significantly affect economic behavior and perceptions of development. Religion contributes to economic growth by fostering ethical values, work discipline, and social capital, although its interpretation can both facilitate and hinder progress. The regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant relationship between religious ideology and perceived economic advancement. The study concludes that balanced integration of religious values into economic planning can enhance development outcomes and recommends that religious leaders and policymakers promote inclusive, growth-oriented interpretations of religious and ideological principles.
Wilson et al. (Fri,) studied this question.