ETHNIC CONFLICT IN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND SOLUTION

ETHNIC CONFLICT IN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND SOLUTION

Nigerians are very sensitive when it comes to their ethnic groups. An average Nigerian often sees his own tribe as being superior to others. Ethnic conflicts are very common and they bring about damage to lives and properties. The key causes and solution to ethnic conflict in Nigeria are discussed here.

Ethnic Conflict

CAUSES OF ETHNIC CONFLICT IN NIGERIA

  • TRIBALISM

Tribalism: Nigerians tend to segregate and discriminate against people that are not from the same tribe. This causes jealousy, hatred and can further cause conflict between two or more ethnic groups.

  • INEQUALITY

Inequity: If it seems the government favours one ethnic group over the other in the allocation of resources, e.g budget allocation. The concerned tribe would feel slighted and show their protests by acts of violence, which may result in ethnic conflict in Nigeria.

  • LAND DISPUTES

Land disputes: if it happens that two states have a dispute over the ownership of a piece of land that serves as a boundary, there is bound to be disagreement between the two ethnic groups.

  • HISTORY

History: if two ethnic groups have had a long-standing history of conflict between each other, such is bound to continue even in the present.

  • IGNORANCE

Ignorance: Many individuals live in total ignorance about other ethnic groups. They instead dwell on rumors of the negative things about other tribal groups apart from theirs. This would make them develop a hatred for other tribal groups.

  • UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment: Often riots are organized. The leaders of an ethnic group use idle youths as tools to commit acts of violence.

SOLUTIONS TO ETHNIC CONFLICT IN NIGERIA

  • SENSITISATION

Sensitization: There should be workshops to sensitize and create awareness to the general public on the need for national unity and patriotism.

  • EQUITY

Equity: the government should be careful enough to share financial resources and otherwise, equally.

  • DIALOGUE

Dialogue: the two ethnic parties should employ the use of dialogue to settle disputes.

  • Creation of Job opportunities

Creation of Job opportunities: there should be the presence of an enabling environment to engage the youths to avoid idleness. They should be adequately trained on how to establish small and medium scale enterprises.

  • INTEGRATION

Integration: platforms, where Nigerians get to learn more about other ethnic groups, should be encouraged. This would inculcate the spirit of unity and togetherness among citizens.

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