INTER-GROUP CONFLICT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Abstract Conflict has been part of human existence from time immemorial. The contemporary Nigeria state is characterized by perennial conflicts, ranging from political, ethnic, and religious to mention a few. These conflicts have hindered attempts at achieving stable democracy to ensure the socio-economic development of the country. Nigeria’s rural and urban communities have been turned into battlefields leading to unimaginable displacement of persons and materials. As human and economic capitals are frequently destroyed, large-scale poverty and underdevelopment become the order of the day. Using secondary data, the study attempts the analyse the problems of intergroup conflict and the prospects of overcoming or reducing the frequency of these conflicts. It is the conclusion of the study that amongst other things, the lack of true and fiscal federalism, the dichotomy between indigene – settlers, poverty and illiteracy are factors contributing to those frequent inter-group hostilities. It is recommended that there is an urgent need to address the issues of citizenship and to make political offices less attractive.