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A Historical Diagnosis of Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Nigeria: Toward a Model for Peaceful Coexistence

Chris S. Orngu December 18, 2018

Abstract:

Ethno-religious conflicts have remained a permanent feature in the socio-political landscape of Nigeria from colonial times to date. These ethno-religious conflicts have, over time, posed insurmountable national security challenges and have constantly threatened the corporeality of the Nigerian state. This worrisome situation has, no doubt, elicited some fundamental questions in contemporary times. One of such questions is: What can be done to achieve peaceful coexistence and ethno-religious harmony in contemporary Nigeria? It is in an attempt to answer this question that this paper undertakes a historical diagnosis of ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria. This will then enhance an adequate appreciation of the dynamics of ethnic and religious factors that have, more often than not, dimensioned the nature of interactions between the relevant groups in Nigeria. A proper understanding of these dynamics is expected to extenuate ethno-religious disharmony and inspire a workable model for harmonious coexistence among the ethno-religious divides in the country. The methodology is interdisciplinary and analytical. It uses both the primary and secondary sources of data to interrogate the forces that exacerbate the mechanics of ethno-religious factional wrangles in the country. Evidently, colonial factors, resource competition, socio-political dynamics, among other things, are identified as key elements in Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflicts. It is discovered that various efforts have been made to address ethno-religious conflict in Nigeria, and that these efforts have often resulted in quick remedies without tangible and long-lasting effects. In the main, such remedies have usually lacked the basic analytical basis needed for addressing an all-time social phenomenon like ethno-religious conflict. This paper, therefore, recommends that mere palliatives should give way for more practical, realistic and long-lasting remedies – remedies that are scientific and holistic in content and context.

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Orngu, Chris S. (2018). A Historical Diagnosis of Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Nigeria: Toward a Model for Peaceful Coexistence
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Journal of Living Together, 4-5 (1), pp. 13-26, 2018, ISSN: 2373-6615 (Print); 2373-6631 (Online).

@Article{Orngu2018
Title = {A Historical Diagnosis of Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Nigeria: Toward a Model for Peaceful Coexistence}
Author = {Chris S. Orngu}
Url = {https://icermediation.org/ethno-religious-conflicts-in-nigeria/}
ISSN = {2373-6615 (Print); 2373-6631 (Online)}
Year = {2018}
Date = {2018-12-18}
IssueTitle = {Living Together in Peace and Harmony}
Journal = {Journal of Living Together}
Volume = {4-5}
Number = {1}
Pages = {13-26}
Publisher = {International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation}
Address = {Mount Vernon, New York}
Edition = {2018}.

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Categories: Journal of Living Together
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Chris S. Orngu

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