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Mysticism, witchcraft, and satanic practices have a long history in West African countries, particularly that of Nigeria. With the influx of the British and spread of Christianity in the southern parts of Nigeria and Islam in the northern parts, the popularity and use of black magic and occult beliefs greatly reduced. However, with the current corruption, lack of governmental structure,economic inefficiency, and rampant violence, there has been a major return to occultism which can be witnessed through various aspects of Nigerian life. This belief in black magic can be seen in as arts and entertainment, the child witches scare, the struggle against the Christian church, and the need for protection. Witchcraft is still prevalent in Nigeria and forms an integral part of itssociety and culture.
The spread of Islamism and Christianity in Nigeria dates back to the pre-colonial period. During medieval times, northern Nigeria had contact with the large kingdoms of the western Sudan (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) and with countries of the Mediterranean across the Sahara which allowed for the spread of Islam into the northernmost parts of Nigeria. Islamic influence was firmlyestablished by the end of the 15th century. Christianity was introduced to Nigeria, at the end of the 15th century introduced Christianity, primarily to the Southern parts of Nigeria, by the Portuguese Roman Catholic priests who accompanied traders and officials to the West African coast. As contact with the Portuguese diminished by the 18th century so did the influence of Catholicmissionaries. With the influx of the British in the late 18th century, Christianity was reintroduced and Christian efforts to propagate the Christian religion and denounce indigenous beliefs were revitalized (http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/nigeria/all.html).
Since the spread of Christianity, there has been a long-standing clash between Christians and occult believers. Christianityteaches against witchcraft and the belief in other gods and Satanic forces, “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
Deuteronomy 18:10”…” When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the deadon behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19”. Nigerian churches continue to refute the belief in the occult and preach against the ungodliness of witchcraft and push to subvert the use of black magic. “The main belief of native religions is that human beings can control their social and physical environments to their advantage”( http://www.afrikaworld.net/afrel/tlhagale.htm).
This notion resultsin the use of spells, juju voodoo, and sacrifices in order to alter the chain of events. Contrarily, the Christian belief holds the idea that one’s life is predestined and relies on prayer and faith in Jesus Christ to solve troubles, “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Thenthey were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven- Psalm 107:28-30”.

Another reason for the deep-rooted clash between both religious sectors is the attribution of the Western world and racism to Christianity (http://www.bintjbeil.com/articles/en/d_huntington.html) However, there have been various testimonials of Nigerians who previously practicedwitchcraft and occult magic and converted to Christianity. They are usually the ones that are most outspoken against the use of occult magic and witchcraft. Emmanuel Eni details his experience as a member of the occult, the rituals he performed, and the human sacrifices he witnessed, “Before my eyes Alice used her fingers and plucked the child’s eyes. The cry of that child broke my heart…”...