Freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights encapsulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. Over the years, religion has proven to help protect and uphold human existence. However, it has also been used as an excuse for intolerance, violence and extremism in many societies including Nigeria, resulting in death and loss of property. In all these, young people are the most affected. With the recent introduction of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 that emphasizes the importance of youths to work for peace and security, the need for youths to advocate and uphold religious freedom and tolerance has never been more necessary. The quest for religious freedom is not just for religious persons but also for every one of us, as this remains an essential virtue necessary for peace and stability in our pluralistic world. This paper, therefore, argues that a future of religious freedom is one in which young people can accommodate different belief systems, avoid extremist narratives, and work together towards using religion as an instrument to building societal peace and prosperity.
