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Articles

CUJPIA: VOL. 10, NO. 1, JUNE 2022

The Rise of Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Northern Nigeria: Critical Analysis and Proposal for New Resolution Strategies

Submitted
October 24, 2022
Published
2022-07-20

Abstract

The outbreak of conflict in social settings is an intrinsic part of human history. As experienced throughout history, conflict has been a persistent social phenomenon. Though a global phenomenon, conflict in Africa has assumed a painful reoccurring dimension. In the contemporary era, over 25 percent of Africans live in conflict endemic and afflicted countries. In Nigeria, incessant conflicts reinforced by pervasive socioeconomic inequality, political domination, religious fanaticism, ethnic rivalry, and class struggle between the haves and have-nots, particularly in the north are underpinned by the structural configuration that is inherent in the Nigerian society. Drawing on Structural Conflict and Structural Violence theories by Karl Marx and Johan Galtung (with additional theoretical perspectives from the works of Azar, Burton, and Dahrendorf), we interrogate the constant outbreak of ethno-religious crises in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country, its intractable nature, leading to the failure of present resolution strategies. The study reveals that structural violence, that manifests as a result of struggles over political interest, resources, fear of religious domination, external religious occurrence, or even allegations of blasphemy and a host of inequalities are the major triggers of ethno religious conflicts in the country. The study concludes that structural reform that engenders an inclusive political system, equal distribution of resources, social equality, and justice, greater roles for religious and traditional leaders, religious tolerance, and bridging of the gap between the rich and the poor will undoubtedly decrease if not completely eradicate the constant outbreak of ethnoreligious violence in parts of the country.

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