Conflict of Piety and Personal Desires in Nigerian Literature: A Study of Okey Ndibe’s Foreign God INC…

Abstract

This study examines the glaring conflict between piety and personal desires as represented in contemporary Nigerian literature, with particular focus on Okey Ndibe’s Foreign Gods, Inc... The research explores how the author dramatizes the tension between cultural or religious devotion and the individual pursuit of personal aspirations. Using textual analysis, the study investigates the socio-cultural, religious, and economic factors that contribute to this conflict, as well as the psychological and emotional consequences experienced by characters that grapple with such dilemmas. In the text, the conflict is clearly illustrated through Ikechukwu Uzondu’s attempt to reconcile his financial desperation with his inherited reverence for ancestral piety, thereby exposing the tension between tradition, modernity, and global capitalist exploitation. The study reveals that Nigerian literature does not merely portray these conflicts as personal struggles, but as reflections of broader societal realities. Issues such as religious orthodoxy, cultural identity, economic pressures, and patriarchal structures significantly shape the choices and inner turmoil of the characters in the text. Furthermore, the analysis shows that the psychological and emotional burdens of negotiating between piety and desire often result in alienation, guilt, and tragic consequences. By interrogating these themes, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of how Nigerian literature mirrors and critiques societal norms, while also giving voice to the struggles of individuals caught between devotion to faith or culture and the longing for personal gratification.