Pharos Journal of Theology ISSN 2414-3324 online Volume 104 Issue 2 - (2023) Copyright: ©2023 Open Access/Author/s - Online @ http//: www.pharosjot.com 1 Towards Achieving National Integration in A Heterogeneous Nigerian Society: A Theological Reflection on Romans 9:25-26 Dr M.O. Oyetade and Mrs. Esther Adeola Femi-Olubiyi Department of Religions, University of Ilorin 1droyetademich@gmail.com/oyetade.mo@unilorin.edu.ng 2thecrownedqueen247@gmail.com Doi: https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.104.27 Abstract Over the last few decades, several problems have been militating against Nigeria as a nation. This is because Nigeria is a mixture of many ethnic groups and diverse religious orientations. Those problems range from the religious crisis, poverty and ethnocentrism to socio-economic, political and academic issues. The objective of this paper is to unearth the havoc ethnocentrism has caused socially, economically, politically, educationally and religiously in Nigeria. The study employed a historical and exegetical approach as its methodology. The paper found that ethnicity and religion are key issues in national integration that political elites use to camouflage their incompetency, corruption, leadership failure and loss of political interest. The consequences are various ethnic conflicts, prejudices, religious crises, insecurity and agitation for separation and secession which do not augur well for national integration and development. Paul the Apostle in Romans. 9:25-26 presents a theological thought that could serve as a panacea as to how a heterogeneous Nigerian society can be integrated with people of different races and social classes peacefully. The paper concludes that the nation should apply the principle that delights to take those who are "not my people" and make them "my people" to achieve national integration in Nigeria. The paper, therefore, recommended restructuring the federal system of government, driving equity and fair distribution of appointments, placing less emphasis on religion and ethnicity on official documents and harvesting sports solidarity for national integration to give way for development to thrive at the state and local levels and permeate all-inclusive living theology. Keywords: Romans 9:25-26, National Integration, Nigeria, Heterogeneous, Ethnocentrism. Introduction Nigeria is a state that is 63 years old since independence from colonial rule. It has a population of roughly 220 million and 93 million voters. There are numerous challenges based on ethnicity which are worrying and the underlying causes include structural factors, political factors, economic and social factors, and cultural and factors relating to how diverse groups are perceived by one another. Onyenechechie (2008:200) gives two reasons for the perennial problem of ethnicity in Africa, including Nigeria. The first is what he describes as “man’s corporate pride, stemming from the weakness of man’s sin nature.” In this, each tribe views itself as better off than others. Secondly, some ethnic disputes are also informed by the past action of the European powers which imposed contestable borders on many African nations. These borders are widely contested through armed conflicts. Despite these causes of ethnicity in Nigeria, over the years we have not been able to overcome this problem. It, therefore, implies that the perennial tribal conflicts occurring in the country indicate that we have not been able to manage a heterogeneous Nigeria society well Open Rubric