Conflicts In Nigeria Research Articles

A Historical Analysis of Ethnic Conflicts in Nigeria

Evidently, a significant number of developing nations exhibit ethnic diversity. The presence of a variety of ethnic groups within a given society has the potential to result in heightened levels of civil unrest. Nigeria's National Question is widely regarded as one of the most intricate in the world, owing to the country's vast array of over 250 ethnic groups and the presence of approximately 120 distinct languages. The colonial authorities, under the guise of promoting ethnic harmony, deliberately and methodically divided the diverse Nigerian populace, thereby fostering a conducive environment for inter-group strife. The diverse composition of the nation leads to a proclivity among its constituent groups to prioritise local awareness over national awareness. The present study employs content analysis as its research methodology to investigate ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. The study also analysed the underlying factors that give rise to ethnic conflicts within the nation and delineated potential avenues for their amelioration juxtaposing between the old and new dimensions.

Group Conflict in Nigeria: A Qualitative Exploration of Survivors’ Experiences

Background: This qualitative study explored the experiences of survivors of group conflicts in Nigeria. The persistent conflicts in Nigeria not only create a sense of social distance but also hamper political and socioeconomic development of the country. This current study, therefore, serves as a guide to politicians and policy makers on how to effectively manage ethno-religious conflicts and practise peace building more safely. Method: Data were gathered by means of semi-structured interviews conducted on fifteen individuals and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were the survivors of numerous conflicts perpetrated by the Boko Haram Islamists and the Niger Delta Avengers in the northern and southern parts of Nigeria respectively. Findings and Conclusion: Two major themes emerged from the interviews, which capture the experiences of the participants who were the survivors of the numerous conflicts. Among these themes were also their suggestions on how to stop the conflicts and prevent any future conflicts. These themes include triggers of the conflict and coping with conflicts. Under these main themes were also subthemes where the numerous experiences were presented descriptively. These findings were placed alongside previous studies in this area and discussed with the existing theories in this field. Recommendations were made on how to prevent any future conflicts in Nigeria.

Evaluating the Potential of a Unified Hausa-Igbo-Yoruba Language to Ease Language Related Social and Political Conflicts in Nigeria

Evaluating the Potential of a Unified Hausa-Igbo-Yoruba Language to Ease Language Related Social and Political Conflicts in Nigeria

Exemplifying the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) in Fostering Peaceful Co-Existence among Christians and Muslims in Nigeria

In the last three decades, most of the major conflicts in Nigeria are centered on ethnicity and religion. Fundamental Muslims and Christians or moderate (liberal) Muslims and adherents of African Indigenous Religions have wrecked a lot of havoc in Nigeria. In many cases, religious leaders and politicians have manipulated these conflicts for political and economic gains. These conflicts have resulted in the death of several thousands of people and loss of unquantifiable amount of money and property. Various attempts by government, individuals, religious and other interest groups on resolving the lingering and hydra-headed crisis have not yielded holistic and desirable result. Some scholarly articles have been written to proffer solutions to Nigeria's ethno-religious crisis; these include research on interfaith dialogue, social integration, sustainable communal developments, the impact of ethno- religious crisis on the security, economy and sociopolitical stability of the country. However, the exemplary nature of loving, empathizing, accepting, accommodating and living with one’s known or perceived enemies have not been adequately explored with religious hindsight. This paper therefore considers the exemplary character of the “Good Samaritan” in the parable of Jesus Christ (Luke 10:25-37) as a spring board for peaceful co-existence between Christians and people of other faiths in Nigerian multicultural contexts, particularly the Muslims. Exegetical and historical methods are used; the Theoretical Framework is premised on Eisenberg Pro-social Behaviour theory, which is defined as voluntary behaviour intended to benefit another (Eisenberg, 1986). Findings reveal that Nigeria has been wracked by periodic violent clashes between political, ethnic and religious groups since the second half of the 20th century. Reasons for these clashes vary from one locality to another but they are mostly motivated by religious, social, economic and political disputes. Conclusively, exemplifying the teaching of Jesus Christ on love for one's neighbour in the parable of the "Good Samaritan" here proposed first to the Christian community gives a new hope on the quest for peace in Nigeria and re-orientation for Christians and their Muslim neighbours. It is recommended therefore that both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria should leverage on the “Good Samaritan’s” peace accord to one’s neghbour proposed by Jesus Christ without prejudice or stereotyping one another.

Arms Proliferation and Violent Conflicts in Nigeria: A Study of Ogun State

Arms Proliferation and Violent Conflicts in Nigeria: A Study of Ogun State

Analysing Environmental Sustainability Issues and Conflict in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region

Analysing Environmental Sustainability Issues and Conflict in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region

Violent orders and coup-proofing: A new typology of wars in Africa

ABSTRACT Conflicts on the African continent present a paradox: the number of conflicts and casualties are increasing while at the same time becoming more peripheral and less threatening to governments. This article argues that the rise of a new kind of conflict helps explain this trend: violent political orders in which warfare is used by governments as a means of doling out patronage and managing dissent rather than defeating opponents on the battlefield. This logic of governance emerges as regimes weaken their own military as a form of coup-proofing; and due to the rampant fragmentation and marginalisation of insurgent groups, which lack the ability to topple governments. After detailed broad conflict trends on the continent, the article uses conflicts in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as examples of this logic, with Mali offered as a partial, theory-building exception. Grappling with this reality will require peacemakers to shift focus from the short-term imperatives of reaching peace deals to the broader challenge of reforming the logic of governance at the heart of the state.

Climate Resilience, Vulnerability, Differential Impacts and Adaptive Capacity in Nigeria

This research investigates and promotes climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. How climate change worsens existing problems such as food insecurity, poverty, and conflict in Nigeria serve as the rationale to this study. Hence, defining climate resilience, reviewing relevant literature, and conducting a case study to generate evidence-based recommendations give insight into the objectives of this study. Therefore, reviewed literature shows the diverse impacts of climate change on disadvantaged groups, such as small-scale farmers and urban coastal dwellers. Vulnerability assessments highlight the need for adaptive capacity, integrating local knowledge in solutions. Case studies illustrate vulnerabilities in poor urban coastal areas, rural regions, and the Niger Delta. Differential impacts are examined, such as the gendered effects of climate change on women and the challenges faced by indigenous communities and urban slums. Adaptive capacity is discussed, stressing social capital, collective action, and the interrelation of adaptation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability. Adaptive capacity assessment in Nigeria indicates difficulties in rural farming households and urban coastal communities, requiring enhanced capacities. Indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in adaptive measures, fostering resilience. Resilience enhancement strategies emphasize social justice, inclusive governance, and community-based adaptation, acknowledging the significance of local empowerment and participation. Technology and innovation provide possibilities but need context-specific methods. These strategies can help build climate resilience in Nigeria’s vulnerable communities, offering a basis for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to tackle the complex challenges of climate change.

Climate Change, Identity Conflicts and the Politics of Cosmopolitanism in Nigeria

This article analyses how identity-based conflicts in Nigeria and national policy solutions to these conflicts affect the goals of cosmopolitanism. Cosmopolitanism refers to the idea of an individual defined as a citizen of a single global community. Marxist political economy theory guided the analysis. The article provides insights into the dynamics of indigene-settlers’ claims and contentions, and their causal linkages to climate change and herder-farmer conflicts, and argues that the politicisation of the conflict has implicated national policy solutions in such a way that they result in the devaluation of Nigerian citizenship and discriminatory tendencies that weaken solidarity between ethnic groups. Yet, building stronger ties amongst citizens and groups is a prerequisite for effective collective action against threats posed by climate change. The article concludes that climate solutions and policy responses to identity conflicts must be reconceptualised to re-enter the ideals of cosmopolitanism while recognising indigenous rights and identities.

Communal conflicts in Nigeria: Assessment of the impacts on internally displaced persons and settlements amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Acknowledging that violent communal conflicts can lead to increased displacement and overcrowding in IDP camps, this study investigates the impact of such conflicts on internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their camps in Benue State, Nigeria, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a mixed-method approach, 386 IDPs and 20 stakeholders were purposively selected. Based on the research objectives, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the research objectives. Employing logistics and multi-linear regressions, the data reveal that unregulated access to IDP camps resulted in overcrowding, straining resources like food and shelter. The study identifies economic losses and various challenges stemming from communal conflict and COVID-19, causing chaos, anxiety, and uncertainty in the IDP camps. These findings highlight the urgent need for ongoing humanitarian assistance to alleviate the precarious conditions faced by IDPs and their camps nationwide and recommend that the IDPs camps across the country need constant humanitarian aid to mitigate the various precarious conditions in the camps.

The negative security impacts of hate speech in Nigeria

Most conflicts in Nigeria are consequences of hate speech, marginalization anddivisions along religious and ethnic lines. Using qualitative content analysis, thispaper sets out to highlight cases of hate speech and the consequent impact on peace inNigeria and on its peacekeeping efforts. Results show the dangerous role of the mediain broadcasting hate speech and its contagious multiplier effects: the impunity oftraditional rulers; the failure of effective prosecution and the need to temporarilywithdraw Nigerian troops from peacekeeping missions. It further makesrecommendations towards ideas on how Nigeria could effectively address theunderlying issues towards preventing hate crime and achieving better conflictresolution mechanisms.

The "Us" and "Them" Divide: Rethinking the Role of Young People in Religious Conflicts in Nigeria

ABSTRACT: As a value-based problem, religious conflicts are disruptive and protracted. Indeed, Nigeria has experienced a plethora of protracted religious conflicts since independence in I960. Constituting major actors in these conflicts are young people, who play critical roles in fomenting and escalating them. Although extant literature acknowledges this preponderant place of young people in these conflicts, it tends to negate the potential constructive roles they play in managing the conflicts. This paper explores the disruptive and potential constructive roles of the youths as principal actors in religious conflicts in Nigeria. It argues that if armed with the right education on peace and tolerance, young people can play critical preventive and curative roles in religious conflict theaters in Nigeria. Exploring these youths' strengths is pertinent for a multidimensional approach to addressing religious conflicts and violence in Nigeria .

Community radio and post-conflict peace building: A study of Orisun 89.5 FM in Ife–Modakeke, Osun State, Nigeria

In times of conflict or tragedy, radio is essential, especially in underdeveloped nations where the collapse of other communication infrastructure may make radio the sole dependable source of information. This study assessed the extent to which community radio has contributed to the peacebuilding efforts after the Ife–Modakeke conflict in Nigeria, by investigating to ascertain listeners’ perceptions and adoption of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism in managing the conflict to avoid a violent escalation. The study applied in-depth interviews and collected data with questionnaires. The findings of the study suggested that the inhabitants of Ife and Modakeke listened intensely to and were aware of the conflict resolution programme on one of the popular radio stations, Orisun 89.5 FM. People also used and knew others, who used the radio programme ‘ADR mechanism’ on the radio to resolve the conflict and avoid violent escalation. Since it was the only peacebuilding programme, the study found that this radio programme was an effective peacebuilding tool in the Ife–Modakeke society. The study recommended that such a good effort should be broadcast more often for further heightened awareness of its diverse listeners.

Making community policing work: A panacea to crimes and rural conflicts in Nigeria

Abstract In Nigeria, several community development initiatives abound either through the government or donor agencies. Despite all these efforts, little concern has been placed on the security of rural dwellers. This has enabled incessant conflicts in rural communities, leading to the loss of lives and an overall negative effect on food production. This chapter employed different conflict and mediation theories to explain the causes, drivers, and ways to resolve the conflicts. Materials were sourced from top-tier databases, including reports and publications from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, and other reliable sources. It found that conflicts in rural communities have resulted in the destruction of lives and livelihood assets, a reduction in crop yield and income, an increase in fear and ethno-religious stereotypes, food shortages and rape. It identified a partial implementation of community policing strategy but noted the centralization of power to the Nigerian Police Force as an impediment to its effectiveness. Worthy approaches to ensuring the effectiveness of community policing strategy as a panacea to crimes and rural conflicts are: constitutional redress; developing programs and needed resources; training and re-training of officers and partners; planning an effective strategy using civilian volunteers; aligning performance measures of officers and partners; demonstrating leadership and taking risks; and making changes to the organization of departments under the community policing structure. However, it recommends operational community policing that incorporates all actors in the states and local governments with reliable legal frameworks for securing the farm and rural farming communities in Nigeria.

How conflict affects education: Differences between Boko Haram and Farmer-Herder conflicts in Nigeria

We investigate effects of conflict on educational attainment in Nigeria, a country suffering from two types of conflict: the Boko Haram insurgency and violence between farmers and herders. These two conflicts involve different perpetrators having differing goals and selecting different targets. To what extent do the effects from these two types of conflict on education differ? Employing a difference-in-difference technique, we find stronger evidence that conflict between farmers and herders lowers educational attainment, both in terms of magnitude and statistical significance. This is surprising given the ideological drive of Boko Haram to prohibit Western education.

Constructing farmer-pastoralist conflict as Islamization: Transformation and adaptation of resource competition discourse in the Nigerian Benue Valley

The recent escalation of the farmer-pastoralist conflicts in Nigeria has seen a resurgence in the scholarly inquiry into the conflicts. Discourse analysis approaches to the study of the conflicts have emerged, but existing studies have not examined the transformation and adaptation of the conflicts’ discourse. This study uses constructivist grounded theory to examine the transformation and adaptation of the farmer-pastoralist conflict discourse based on interviews in the Benue Valley of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. In addition, it develops a novel and sophisticated analytical framework to explicate this process, which previous studies have not done. Thus, this paper advances the existing studies of farmer-pastoralist conflict discourse by explaining how discourses interlink, transform and adapt to various social conditions. It shows how Islamization discourse external to farmer-herder conflict discourse assemblage becomes integrated into the resource competition discourse of the latter through relations of exteriority, transforming the discourse and adapting it to reflect the socio-political conditions of wider Nigerian society. It explains this articulation of Islamization discourse through a novel framing of relations of exteriority, where elements are transferred between discourse assemblages without detachment. It transforms the farmer-herder conflict discourse by retaining the element of land grabs within the resource competition discourse while disarticulating other elements. The paper demonstrates this by conceptualizing discourses as dynamic and interconnected, drawing on articulation and assemblage thinking concepts. The territorialization and deterritorialization of elements from different discourse assemblages, desires, and narrative framing contribute to this transformation and adaptation of the discourse process.

Deconstructing the Culture of Silence: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in IDPs’ Camps of North East Nigeria

Sexual and gender-based violence is a global phenomenon that is affecting women, girls and boys with devastating and long-lasting consequences. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2013) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS, 2016) reports show that 28% and 7% of women of reproductive age have experienced physical or sexual violence while 25% of married women have reported emotional, physical and sexual abuse from their spouse. These figures are high in the north-eastern part of the country, with 29.5% and 15.7% of women reporting physical and sexual abuse, respectively (NDHS, 2013). This pandemic is destroying the lives of many women and girls affected by conflict in Nigeria. Although the Nigerian government has made some efforts to create a legal framework outlawing SGBV, the menace still persists. The paper adopts descriptive and analytical method as framework of analysis in examining the drivers of sexual and GenderBased violence in the internally displaced persons‘ camps. The research focussed on the BAY (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) states as they are the worst hit, coupled with the highest number of IDPs who have been displaced as a result of the conflict. The paper argued that, persistence of harmful cultural norms, poverty, and paucity of infrastructure are the drivers of SGBV in internally displaced camps. It further demonstrates that empowering survivors to voice out, effective monitoring mechanism and punishment for state actors and non-state actors will no doubt change the narratives.

HERDSMEN AND FARMER’S CONFLICTS IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA : A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF CAUSES, EFFECTS AND RESOLUTION MECHANISMS

The Southwest zone of the country is not in any way immune or protected from the Fulani herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts. What is worrisome is how Southwest Nigeria, that is not part of the North has suddenly become the epicenter of fulani herdsmen and farmers conflict. According to Olugbenga (2013), the Southwest zone of Nigeria are predominantly Yoruba and their major occupation is farming (land cultivation). They plant all kinds of food and cash crops. In addition, they embark on wildlife hunting. The average Yoruba engage in farming, while the women do menial jobs, such as fetching fire-wood, processing and sales of farm produce. There exists a close synergy between the Southern Yoruba and the Northern fulani. This is because the Yoruba generally love festivities and celebration which make cattle business lucrative in the southern states of Nigeria. On the other hand, the Fulani also look out for greener pastures and water for the survival of their herds. today, the Southwest zone is not, in any away, protected from the conflict emanating from the fulani herdsmens movement across the country as they have carried out attacks in the states in the zone. For example, Olaniyan (2017) disclosed that on April 20, 2016, herdsmen attacked five communities in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State and a number of people were killed in the process; on 21 May 2016, Oke-Ako community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State suffered a similar fate when Fulani herdsmen invaded and killed two people. Following this killing, Olaniyan (2017) revealed that Governor Fayose gave out cash and ammunition to local hunters and vigilante groups, with a directive to attack and kill herders in return. The Governor also, placed a ban on open grazing via a law titled: “Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti, 2016”, made by State House of Assembly, which was supported by Afenifere group (a Yoruba socio- cultural group); but condemned by groups from the northern region. The law criminalizes grazing in some places within the state and outside certain period in the day. It also prohibited carriage of any kind of weapon by herdsmen, with the charge of terrorism hanging on the neck of flouters and six months jail for offenders, among others. There have been series of suggestions from the public and reactions at the national level to create ranches, Ruga as well as the national grazing bill initiative - The 1965 Grazing Reserve Law; the 1978 Land Use Act; the 2016 Ekiti State Anti-Grazing Law; the 2017 Benue State Anti-Grazing Law (Udoekanem, Adoga and Onwumere, 2014; Olugbenga, 2017; Olaniyan 2017; Ogboru and Adejonwo-Osho 2018).Nonetheless, the extent to which the conflict has been resolved in the country is in doubt. Therefore, this study is to investigated the causes and effects of Fulani Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict in Nigeria's Southwest zone and the mechanism put in place to resolve the conflict.

The Intersection of Sustainable Development and Ethno-Religious Conflict in Nigeria

Nigeria is now facing the complex issue of ethno-religious conflicts, which have significantly affected its socio-economic structure. This study investigates these conflicts' multifaceted and intricate impacts on Nigeria's pursuit of sustainable development. This research examines the historical context, economic disruptions, educational barriers, and political ramifications of ethno-religious contests. The examination explores prominent ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria, including the Jos Crisis, the Boko Haram Insurgency, the Kaduna Religious Crisis, and the tensions in the Middle Belt region. The study highlights many reasons that contribute to the intensification of these conflicts, including religious extremism, economic inequality, and political marginalisation. In addition, the article examines the core principles of sustainable development and the consequences of ethno-religious conflicts on environmental sustainability, social advancement, governance, humanitarian crises, economic activities, population displacement, and infrastructure devastation. Utilising conflict resolution strategies, such as interfaith dialogue, inclusive policies, community engagement, security sector reform, good governance, economic diversification, and investment in education, is recommended to mitigate the negative impacts of ethnoreligious conflicts on attaining sustainable development. The report emphasises the need to address the root issues and implement proactive methods to create a sustainable and harmonious future in Nigeria.

Modeling Perennial Communal Land Conflict in Nigeria: A Study of Nchoko Igbeagu Izzi, Ebonyi State

This paper focused on modeling perennial communal land conflict in Nigeria: A study of Nchoko Igbeagu Izzi, Ebonyi State The paper looked at the concept elucidation of conflict, land conflict, perennial communal conflict, conflict management and perennial land conflict management. It examined various consequences of conflict. The paper identified, developed and classified major models to conflict management approach into traditional, modern and trad-modern approaches in management of perennial land conflict in Nchoko Igbeagu Izzi, Ebonyi State. The paper was anchored on Greed-Grievance Theory. Research design adopted for the study was both qualitative and quantitative. Primary data were generated through interview and focused group discussion while secondary data was gotten from textbooks and journals. Content Analytical Approach was used to analyze the data. From findings made through oral interview, it was observed that communal land conflict usually burst during planting season of the year and that conflict occurs due to injustice and domination. The implications of this are that production is reduced, supply of goods and services are halted and a lot of attacks were witnessed. The paper concludes that leaders at all levels should be transparent and impartial in handling complaints. However, based on the findings it was recommended that leaders at all level in the community should be transparent and justly handle land complaint, negotiation instead of confrontation should be adopted in conflict resolution and mediators should avoid kick-back in conflict settlement.