FULANI HERDSMEN–FARMER CONFLICT AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN SECURITY IN NIGERIA (2015–2024)

This study examines the implications of the Fulani herdsmen–farmer conflict for human security in Nigeria between 2015 and 2024 through the lens of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Security Theory. Relying on qualitative analysis of institutional reports, humanitarian datasets, and investigative media documents, the research identifies a direct correlation between conflict intensity, internal displacement, and deterioration in civilian welfare. Findings reveal that more than 3.6 million people were displaced during the period under review, with food insecurity, inadequate access to healthcare, and the destruction of livelihoods representing significant violations of international protection standards. Although Nigeria has adopted frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and ECOWAS transhumance regulations, weak implementation and limited enforcement capacity have hindered effective protection and conflict mitigation. The study concludes that the conflict constitutes an enduring human security crisis rather than isolated communal clashes, necessitating improved humanitarian compliance, strengthened early-warning systems, and regional diplomatic cooperation. Ultimately, the research highlights the need for policy interventions that prioritize civilian safety, livelihood restoration, and long-term peacebuilding to address systemic vulnerabilities and prevent further displacement.