CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE CAUSES OF INTER ETHNIC VIOLENT CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY - RESOLUTIONS, MANAGEMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Abstract

This work is concerned more in explaining how the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria in respect of ethnical, cultural, lingual and tribal diversities constitute the major causes of inter ethnic violence conflicts ravaging the present day Nigeria and making political seats very hot and the country most ungovernable. We looked at different causes of inter-ethnic violent conflicts in Nigeria. We discovered that inter-ethnic violent conflicts in Nigeria are not a product of any single causation but a product of several variables which we are able to examine. We inquired into the behavior of different ethnic groups and the feeling of alienation and denial which culminated into violent reaction in different quarters. We applied the need-aggression theory as our theoretical framework of analysis noting that the human needs theory as propounded by Maslow is very close to explaining the work as the theory states that every human being has various needs and can resort to violent conflict if frustration sets due to activities of another individual or group of persons. The needs theory is closely related to the needs, frustration-aggression theory. The work is presented in a historical, descriptive, comparative and analytical method, using ‘Content Analysis’ as our methodology. We reviewed so many literatures relevant to the topic in issue, as well as analyze some documents based on facts and figures. The work finally illustrates that violence was the only tool available to one suffering alienation, denial of right to life and various other fundamental rights vis-a-vis ethnic groups faced with the challenges of marginalization, alienation, fear of insecurity and survival which gave rise to various ethnic groups taking arms and resorting to violent conflicts in Nigeria.