Social life is impossible without the shared values and moral beliefs which religion provides. In its absence, there would be no social order, social control, social solidarity and cooperation. Therefore, the sacredness of religion strengthens values and moral beliefs which form the nucleus of social life. The objective of this paper is to identify the place of religion in the development of the nation. A finding shows that religion as a basic institution of unity in the society has been bastardized. In fact there are cases of social unrest leading to the destruction of lives and property because of religious divide. The greater power which religion provides to direct human actions has been negatively applied in the society. This ill behaviour arises from ignorance, provocation, inherent prejudice and intolerance. At the national level, it is caused by manipulation by elites, government and non adherence to secularism. The researchers recommends that religion can still serve as an instrument for promoting social solidarity and national development if those leaders and politicians who mastermind religious conflicts are fished out and punished.