Abstract:

New discoveries and revolutionary ideologies normally produce fascinating sentiments among the people. When the content of such ideologies strikes a contemporary note, vast reception is assured. However, while in some cases such ideologies provide amicable environment for positive transformation, it can also create problematic situations or radiate unpleasant tendencies targeted at cultural values and norms. During the enlightenment period, Europe excitedly embraced the message of rationality as the key to progress. The reception was impressive but somewhat unchecked. Long standing moral, religious and cultural values fell victims to the suspicions of reason. The Nigerian society, especially the younger generation is gradually but daily confronted with contemporary tenets especially the ‘woke culture’. Woke in this sense refers to the growing trend of secular progressivism that tends to confront and create awareness towards cultural and social systems that are considered oppressive, while offering alternatives that are intended to promote equality, individual freedom and happiness. Through a comparative historical analysis, whereby the European encounter with the enlightenment culture will be juxtaposed to the gradual infiltration of woke culture in contemporary Nigeria, this article proposes a tenacious and systematic caution on unchecked reception of the tenets of the wokeness in order to reduce or possibly avert the risk of a corrosive loss of genuine socio-cultural and religious values.