Prophetic Ethics and Nation-Building: An Empirical-Theological Analysis of Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos With Reference to Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria’s nation-building process continues to be constrained by governance deficits, corruption, social inequality, and declining public trust in institutions. This study examines the major socio-ethical themes of the Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Hosea, and Amos and evaluates their relevance for contemporary nation-building in Nigeria. Using a qualitative thematic content analysis, the study treats selected prophetic texts as sources of normative social ethics and relates them to contemporary Nigerian governance realities through illustrative cases and policy contexts. Core themes identified include justice, leadership accountability, covenantal responsibility, economic equity, and authentic religiosity. The study argues that prophetic ethics offer a complementary moral framework for strengthening governance, social cohesion, and institutional legitimacy in Nigeria. While not a substitute for empirical policy analysis, prophetic ethics can enrich interdisciplinary discourse on religion and development in plural societies.