CHALLENGES OF ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA: A THREAT TO THE CONTINUOUS EXISTENCE OF NIGERIA AS A SINGLE ENTITY

Abstract

This study examined the Challenges of Ethnic and Religious Conflicts in Nigeria: A Threat to the Continuous Existence of Nigeria as a Single Entity. The objectives of this research were tailored towards theoretically and empirically analyze the causes and consequences of ethnic and religious conflicts in Nigeria and make recommendations to government. The data generated qualitatively from the in-depth desk review of the secondary sources were analyzed using the content analysis method. The adopted theoretical framework for this study is the theory of instrumentalism which was propounded by Heyness, Galtung and Huntington (1993). Instrumentalists believe that there is a strong relationship between religion and violent conflicts in Nigeria. Also that ethnicity can be used as a tool and instrument to project violent conflict in a society. The findings of the study revealed that to get employment or any other benefits from government, unless the candidates’ tribesmen are in government. In addition ethnic and religious conflicts have led to the loss of lives and properties in Nigeria. Therefore, law enforcement agencies should be given marching order to deal decisively with the perpetrator s of ethnic and religious conflicts. Government and private organizations should enthrone the culture of Merit otherwise development will not be achieved, because mediocre as employees of government.