Religious Entrepreneurship and the Proliferation of Prayer Houses in Northern Nigeria: A Historical and Sociological Analysis of Taraba State (1991 – 2023)

This article examines the phenomenon of religious entrepreneurship and the proliferation of prayer houses in Taraba State, Northern Nigeria, from 1991 to 2023. Employing a qualitative research methodology rooted in historical and sociological approaches, the study utilizes cross-sectional survey design and thematic analysis to gather and interpret data from a diverse sample of prayer house founders, attendees, and non-attendees across the three senatorial districts of Taraba State. The findings reveal that prayer houses have emerged as significant socio-religious institutions shaped by the intersection of spiritual aspirations and economic realities. The study demonstrates that religious entrepreneurship in this context manifests through the commodification of spiritual services, the establishment of prayer houses as economic ventures, and the development of charismatic authority structures that facilitate resource mobilization. While these institutions contribute positively to community development through job creation, entrepreneurial support, and social welfare initiatives, they also exhibit problematic dimensions including financial exploitation, doctrinal manipulation, and the fragmentation of family and community bonds. The analysis highlights the ambivalent nature of prayer houses as both sites of spiritual empowerment and potential sources of exploitation, underscoring the need for regulatory frameworks that promote transparency and accountability. This study contributes to the broader discourse on religion and society in contemporary Africa by providing a nuanced understanding of how religious entrepreneurship shapes and is shaped by socio-economic conditions in Northern Nigeria.

Keywords: Religious entrepreneurship, prayer houses, proliferation, Taraba State, Northern Nigeria, prosperity gospel, spiritual commodification.