Engaging Social Resilience as Strategic Framework in Inter-Group Relations: Implications for National Security Drive in Nigeria

Abstract

The core objective of this study is to examine the extent to which the effective engagement of social resilience strategies could assist in mitigating social, economic and cultural as well as environmental disasters in Nigerian society. Research evidence from works of experts has revealed that due to the complexities of the Nigerian state, and in view of several ethnic conflicts, electoral violence, terrorism and terror attacks; banditry, flooding and many other disasters, it has been relatively complex for citizens to cope after these occurrences happen. Several states in Nigeria for example have been overtaking by increasing killings maiming, farmers-herders clashes, post-election violence, arm banditry, terrorism and insurgency. Quite a number of other states, especially those around the Niger/Benue River tributaries such as Kogi State, Delta State, Anambra state, and many riverine states, including Bayelsa and many others, have continued to face the ravaging challenges of flooding. In 2022 alone, hundreds of thousands of people have been evicted from their homes and their means of livelihood running into millions of US dollars have been destroyed by flooding. In Nigeria currently, there is a devastating effect of hunger, disease and malnutrition due to after-effect of flooding. By every standard, Nigerian citizens in some of these affected areas are living in dire strait while several farm lands have been taken over by excessive flooding, which is why there is a lingering shortage of food supply, unavailability of sea food, and lack of infrastructural development such as housing, and increasing rate of homelessness among the teeming population. This study explores works of experts in the broader field of intergroup and conflict studies designed to x-ray some of the factors and strategic policy alternatives that can be employed to mitigate adverse effects of such incidences as they pattern to the complex social groups living in the Nigerian political system. The study relies heavily on secondary research materials as a data collection method. The paper sums up with findings and recommendations.