INFLUENCE OF RADIO IN PROMOTING RELIGIOUS HARMONY AMONG ADEUN RESIDENTS IN ABEOKUTA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Religious harmony remains essential for social cohesion in multicultural communities. This study investigates the influence of radio in promoting interfaith understanding among residents of Adeun. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected through a household survey of residents, key-informant interviews with radio producers and religious leaders, and content analysis of selected faith-related programmes across major local stations. Findings indicate that radio plays a significant facilitative role by providing inclusive platforms news segments, magazine shows, sermons, and call-in discussions that amplify shared values, clarify misconceptions, and encourage respectful dialogue among adherents of different faiths. Programmes that employed conflict-sensitive language, featured balanced representation of clerics, and allowed moderated audience interaction were most strongly associated with positive attitudes toward other religions and increased willingness to cooperate in community projects. However, challenges persist, including occasional sensational framing, limited airtime for minority voices, language barriers, and the spread of unverified claims during live call- ins. The study concludes that radio remains a powerful, trusted medium for nurturing religious harmony in Adeun when stations adopt deliberate editorial policies