The kind of ethnic conflict ravaging nigeria and other african countries can be appropriately situated at an extreme position in the continuum. Ethnic rivalry is a major cause of africas backward states. Furthermore, no religious conflict in the nation is purely religious without ethnicity playing its way in it. The attempt to break away ultimately failed, and nigeria reintegrated the igbo majority region in 1970. While the source of the conflict may be political, social, economic or religious, the individuals in conflict must expressly fight for their ethnic groups position within society. Religious conflicts in nigeria by barry mason and chris talbot 28 february 2000 violent religious clashes broke out in the city of kaduna in northern nigeria on february 21 and have continued. I political cycles and inter ethnic outcomes in nigeria s postindependence history.
Before that, tensions between rivalry groups were covered and maintained by the colonial regime. Traditional chieftainship in peace building and the ethnic. Hence when ethnic conflicts are minimal, they may be regarded as dynamic forces which help to propel the development of a society. Traditional chieftainship in peace building and the ethnic conflict in kosofe local government area of lagos state, nigeria patrick ifechukwude okonji department of sociology university of lagos abstract in spite of the traditional avenue for reconciliatory mediation that truly assuages rancor, it is ironical to note. This edition, being the fourth since the 2002 assessment, provides accurate and updated data on the violent conflicts in nigeria. In nigeria, for example, there are three main ethnic groups the yoruba, igbo, and hausa, but also dozens of other smaller ethnic groups that periodically come into conflict with one another. Ethnic groups and conflicts ethnic group means different things to different people. Theoretical perspective 79 languages, customs and traditions gives the country a rich cultural diversity. Just as we have many authors, so we have several definitions of the concept. Ethnicity, ethnic crises, good governance, sustainable national development.
The roots of nigerias religious and ethnic conflict public. May 02, 2014 roots of igboyoruba conflict in nigerian politics. Federalism and ethnic conflict in nigeria suberu, rotimi, diamond, larry on. Abstract nigeria, as a multi ethnic nation, has continued to grapple with the challenges of curbing the incessant ethnic conflicts that have constituted a serious challenge and put the unity and peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups in the country at a risk. Religious freedom conditions in nigeria trended negatively in 2018.
Loyalty to ethnic groups impedes true nationalism and unity of the country. China abstract no doubt, the polity nigeria is one of the most ethnically divided society globally with diverse ethnic cocoons and myriads of dialect. Actually, much of the material on nigeria has been inspired by the paradigms of the study of ethnicity in the social sciences generally. Nigeria has not been without its fair share of conflict. The causes of ethnic conflict in multiethnic societies.
The nigerian government at the national and state levels continued to tolerate violence and discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, and suppressed the freedom to manifest religion or belief. This causes jealousy, hatred and can further cause conflict between two or more ethnic groups. The national question in nigeria is probably one of the most complicated in the world with over 120 languages spoken, three main ethnic groups, none of which constitutes a majority of the population, and the religious divide between christians in the south and muslims in the north. The most impacted states are those of the nigerian. Resource control this is another issue which causes ethnic conflicts in the country. Structure and strategy in ethnic conflict donald l. In the spirit of indirect rule, the major administrative and political units of nigeria were made to coincide with the spatial locations of the three major ethnic groups. By this is meant the country is a melting pot of ethnic. Nigeria is said to be a british creation by uniting the various nationalities into a single country today known as the federal republic of nigeria. A historical analysis of ethnic conflict in nigeria publish. The first point to be noted is that the appearance of ethnic conflict in nigerian national politics especially as it relates to the igbo and the. The last month has seen serious outbreaks of ethnic conflict in nigeria. At a global scale, the conflict presents itself in a way where there is a large economic impact.
Mar 10, 2010 sectarian conflict erupted most profoundly in 1967, when three primarily igbo eastern states seceded under the name republic of biafra, sparking a bloody threeyear civil war. Conflicts between different ethnic groups in nigeria, are all examples of. In fact, out of 25 dyads engaged in interethnic conflict that we identified between 1990 and 2014 in the uppsala conflict database program. For instance, in nigeria the ethnic factor is seen when political parties are formed and during elections. Herderfarmer conflicts in nigeria have mainly involved disputes over land resources between herders and farmers across nigeria but more devastating in the middle belt north central since the return of democracy in 1999.
Briefly stated, these are the seven themes we intend to sketch in the following discussion of institutional design, ethnic conflict management, and democracy in nigeria. Ntroduction nigeria presents a complex of individual as well as a conflation and recursive identities of which the ethnic, religious, regional and sub ethnic communal are the most salient and the main bases for violent conflicts in the country. The roots of nigeria s religious and ethnic conflict. The struggle between religious groups in nigeria started in the middle of the 20th century. Resolving it will require a deep understanding of conflict dynamics, as well as the motivations and capabilities of various key actors. D department of political science ekiti state university, adoekiti, nigeria abstract. Ethnic conflict and sustainable development in nigeria. To open up the question of the relationship of sharia to identity, and identity to conflict is to open up some of the most difficult and controversial issues, which are both deeply embedded within, and fundamentally elided by, contemporary understandings of peace and conflict studies in nigeria 1. Theories and practice of ethnic conflict management in nigeria orji nkwachukwu introduction like many multiethnic societies, one major hurdle which nigeria. The key causes and solution to ethnic conflict in nigeria. Aug 30, 2005 the national question in nigeria is probably one of the most complicated in the world with over 120 languages spoken, three main ethnic groups, none of which constitutes a majority of the population, and the religious divide between christians in the south and muslims in the north. Moreover, since the late 1980s, ethnicity in nigeria has assumed disturbing new dimensions. From the colonial times till date, leaders use ethnic biases to win election and divide the country.
Herderfarmer conflicts, typically involving disputes over land andor cattle between herders and farmers. To date, few such comprehensive analyses of the boko haram conflict have been. A historical survey of ethnic conflict in nigeria citeseerx. Nigeria, as a nation, is bound by various ethnicities or ethnic groups, thus higazi noted that, the dominant discourses in the conflict refer to political exclusion on the basis of ethnicity and religion 14.
Tribalism is one of the causes of ethnic conflict in nigeria. Ethnic conflicts are very common and they bring about damage to lives and properties. Ethnic conflict causes of ethnic conflict in nigeria. Ethnic conflict and national stability in nigeria gross archive. An ethnic conflict is a conflict between two or more contending ethnic groups. The latter constitute nigeria s most numerous ethnic group. Ethnic conflict and distrust is identified as the bane of former democratic experiments in nigeria.
The objectives of the paper are therefore, to study the causes and effects of communal and ethnic conflicts in tivland with a view to finding lasting solutions to them so that the society can grow and develop. Historical background to the research nigeria has witnessed numerous violent communal conflicts since the mid1960s. In this address to participants at the presidential retreat on peace and conflict resolution, held in kuru, jos, governor abdullahi adamu advocates the economic empowerment of disadvantaged nigerians to halt their manipulation by unscrupulous politicians and other powerful individuals. The religious conflict in nigeria symposium, session 2. Conflict one of the earliest deftnitions of conflicts. Conflict exposure and economic welfare in nigeria econstor. Thousands have beep annilulated during inter ethnic clashes in africa particularly in countries like somalia, rwanda, sierra leone, liberia, uganda, chad, niger republic, nigeria etc. The issue of ethnic conflict in nigeria has become a burning national issue with its attendant problems. There is a general perception that africa is trapped in a neverending cycle of ethnic conflict. Communal conflicts in nigeria can be divided into two broad categories. Nigeria is a country of over four hundred 400 ethnic groups and numerous sub ethnic groups with different. Causes and solution nigerians are very sensitive when it comes to their ethnic groups. Ethnicity, religion, ethnoreligious conflict, integration, good governance.
This article focused on the historical survey of ethnic conflict in the nigerian society and its scope is vast in a way that it stresses the countrys ethnic conflicts beginning from the pre. In fact, these tragic conflicts carry with them additional dangers that if not checked may spread and result in a tiv holocaust. Since nigeria is formed of so many ethnic groups, the nation is divided, and the country lacks real unity. Nigeria s resource control is a real issue, which has been relevant because of the countrys environmental downfall, and the lack of development. Ethnoreligious identity and conflict in northern nigeria. Poverty is at the root of some of the ethnic crises nigeria faces. The roots of nigerias religious and ethnic conflict. On july 18 and 19 there were clashes in sagumu, a town 30 miles north of lagos in the south west of nigeria. Similarly, the igbos belonged to the national council of nigeria and cameroon ncnc. Causes of conflict in nigeria and ways of resolving them.
But incidence of ethnic violence was different in varying country. Ethnoreligious conflicts and democracy in nigeria dr. The african ejournals project has digitized full text of. It traces the evolution of ethnic conflict research in nigeria, explores the existing literature on ethnic conflicts and points to the neglect of intraethnic conflicts. In fact, no decade of postindependent nigeria has been conflict free. The population is roughly balanced between muslims and christians with a small minority of those who practice indigenous beliefs. Christian ethnic groups in southern nigeria have been drawn into these religious conflicts. In combination with more polarised communal politics, this has led to clashes. Misinterpreting ethnic conflicts in africa africa center. A historical analysis of ethnic conflict in nigeria osadola oluwaseun samuel research paper postgraduate african studies culture and applied geography publish your bachelors or masters thesis, dissertation, term paper or essay. Ethnicity, ethnic crisis, and good governance in nigeria.
The northern peoples congress npc was formed in the first republic and it was a hausafulani party. While the origin while the origin of the conflict may be polit ical, social, economic or religious. Christian indigenes need only point to the discrimination against fellow christians in northern, predominantly muslim states to justify exclusion of the hausafulani in jos. The most crucial of these arc the issues of marginalisation and agitations by ethnic. These violent ethnic conflicts were first witnessed in western nigeria when. If each ethnic group is treated with equality, ethnic conflict in nigeria will disappear. Federalism federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central government and regional or subdivisional government. It was found that a number of violent events that had occurred in nigeria was due to the manipulations of the constitutional law in a process of decision making by muslims and christian leaders and political elites that cannot fulfill the expectations of their respective ethnic groups. With several coups, general strikes and a civil war, nigerians have had to experience some of the most sordid tragedies arising from difference of opinions and distrust. Ethnoreligious conflicts, attributed to actors primarily divided by cultural, ethnic, or religious communities and identities, such as instances of religious violence between christian and muslim communities.
The major causes of ethnic conflict in nigeria include. A historical analysis of ethnic conflict in nigeria osadola oluwaseun samuel research paper. The focus of this paper is on impact of ethnoreligious crises on socioeconomic activities in wukari local government area with a view to proffering useful recommendations as a way forward. The end of the cold war thus sparked interest in two important questions about ethnic conflict. Pdf a historical survey of ethnic conflict in nigeria researchgate. Over the past few years thousands of people have been killed in ethnic clashes. Nigerians tend to segregate and discriminate against people that are not from the same tribe. Ethnic conflicts in nigeria and africa in general arise as result of scarcity of political resources, multiculturalism, religion, militarisation of ethnicity among others. In some colonial territories, for instance nigeria, the strategy of decolonization gave impetus to political ethnicity. Achimugu, hassan corresponding author ata agboni, u. The most crucial of these arc the issues of marginalisation and agitations by ethnic minorities. Inequality and ethnic conflict in subsaharan africa social. The history of ethnicity and ethnic conflicts in nigeria is also traced back to the colonial transgressions that forced the ethnic groups of the.
Colonial masters play a vital role in the growth of ethno religious conflicts, these colonial masters brought the christianity with them and try to penetrate the western values in the system of nigeria. A need for true federalism peaceful and prosperous in nigeria article pdf available november 20 with 9,748 reads how we measure reads. Until now, the analysis made in this paper has been guided by the medicodiagnostic method of inquiry, an analytical approach that seeks to avoid one of the commonly committed fallacies of the century jumping to a conclusion or making a hasty decision. Introduction nigeria is a country of over four hundred 400 ethnic groups and numerous sub ethnic groups with different backgrounds. Religious and ethnic nationalism has led to conflicts about control of state power, unequal. Ethnic conflict and national stability in nigeria pdf. Pdf a historical survey of ethnic conflict in nigeria. They do not necessarily represent the views of the. In addition, this type of analysis may go a long way in preventing ethnic conflict, since it proffers suggestions on how to lessen ethnic tensions and resolve contentious issues. An average nigerian often sees his own tribe as being superior to others. A purview of mechanism for national integration olayiwola victor ojo school of social science, shanghai university, shanghai, p. The former british colony is one of the worlds largest oil producers, but few nigerians, including those in oil. Ethnic and religious crises in nigeria african journals online. Pdf nigeria is one of the major democracies in african continent.
Nigeria is an oil rich country, but nearly twothirds of the population lives in poverty and makes less. The main reason for this is an intolerance between religious groups. Pdf theories and practice of ethnic conflict management in nigeria. Ethnic conflict and national stability in nigeria a case study of obasonjos regime with abstract, chapter 15, references and questionnaire. This sca contains field data and analyses, including conflict prevention and. Christian ethnic groups in southern nigeria have been drawn into these religious conflicts, with their members in northern nigerian cities.
A historical analysis of ethnic conflict in nigeria. The yoruba people are predominant in the southwest. Are we then to conclude that ethnicity is a problem as virtually every one does, apparently impressed by what appears like a high incidence and high intensity of ethnic conflict in africa. Nigeria s insecurity has added to its economic woes, hindering foreign investment. Pdf this article focused on the historical survey of ethnic conflict in the nigerian society and its scope is vast in a way that it stresses the.
Developing country management ethnic conflict by participation and justice policy that the equality is the best way for resolve this problem. Religious and ethnic nationalism has led to conflicts about control of state power. An ethnic conflict is a conflict between two or more rival ethnic groups. It is driven by a mix of historical, political, economic, and ethnic antagonisms. Understanding the armed groups of the niger delta final. The variable measures simply if there is an ethnic conflict in a given state or not. Causes and effects of communal and ethnic conflicts in tiv. Furthermore, most of the literature agrees on the operationalization of ethnic conflict into a simple dichotomous variable. D department of political science ekiti state university, adoekiti, nigeria mike opeyemi omilusi ph. It is therefore patently clear that realistic measures to solve these problems are needed. Religious conflicts in nigeria world socialist web site.
Other major ethnic groups of the north are the nupe, tiv, and kanuri. Ethnic conflict escalates in nigeria world socialist web site. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the author. Horowitz april 1998 paper prepared for the annual world bank conference on development economics, washington, d. One of these is the strategic conflict assessment sca. In developing country incidence were low and in the developing sever. Moreover, since the late 1980s, ethnicity innigeria has assumed disturbing new dimensions. Roots of igboyoruba conflict in nigerian politics vanguard. A historical analysis of ethnic conflict in nigeria grin. Mar 10, 2014 the roots of nigerias religious and ethnic conflict. Nigeria suffers a variety of complex political problems including inequality, corruption, oil disputes, national disunity, and the boko haram insurgency this seven year conflict and humanitarian crisis in the north has killed 20,000 and displaced 2. Ethnic conflicts may be triggered by factors such as geographical proximity, group identity, deliberate manipulation of negative perceptions by political leaders.
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