Abstract
This paper examines liberation theology as a contextual theological framework for Christian
engagement with social justice in Nigeria. Emerging from Latin America in the 1960s as a
response to poverty, political oppression, and structural inequality, liberation theology
emphasizes the inseparability of faith and praxis, insisting that theology must arise from and
respond to the lived realities of the oppressed. Drawing on biblical narratives such as the
Exodus tradition, prophetic literature, and the liberative mission of Jesus, the study explores
the relevance of liberation theology to Nigeria’s contemporary socio-political challenges,
including poverty, corruption, gender inequality, and ethno-religious conflict. Engaging the
contributions of African theologians such as Desmond Tutu and Mercy Amba Oduyoye,
alongside Nigerian scholarship, the paper argues that liberation theology provides a critical
ethical and theological resource for confronting systemic injustice within Nigerian society.
While acknowledging critiques regarding its perceived politicization and Marxist influences,
the study demonstrates that contemporary movements for justice, including EndSARS and
climate justice advocacy, reflect enduring aspirations for dignity, accountability, and social
transformation. The paper concludes that liberation theology offers not merely a theoretical
model but a compelling moral and practical framework for Nigerian Christianity, calling the
church toward prophetic engagement, social responsibility, and inclusive justice.