Management of Protracted Social Conflicts in a Multi Cultural Society: The Nigerian Example

Abstract

The literature on conflicts in Nigeria largely implicates socio-economic, political and governmental deficits as the major causes of violent conflicts in Nigeria. The paper interrogates the challenges and prospects of managing protracted social conflicts in Nigeria by examining the socio-economic and political dynamics of the Nigerian State within the framework of the current security challenges in Nigeria. A careful evaluation of data from the field was supplemented with a desk review of secondary sources and integrated into the content analysis of the issues that arose from the subject matter under study. Findings indicates that the root causes of conflicts in Nigeria are located ethno-religious intolerance, struggle for power and scarce resources, bad governance, insincerity and haphazard approach towards the resolution of these conflicts. The paper concludes that there is no alternative to good governance in the fight against violent conflicts in Nigeria. Good governance is congenial to the promotion, reign and sustenance of peace. Therefore, it is the contention of this paper that to effectively manage protracted social conflict, strategic approaches anchored on good governance that will guarantee sustainable peace and security in Nigeria must be evolved.