STRATEGIES FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MANAGEMENT IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA, UP TO 2015

This paper gives an assessment of the threat to peace of the corporate existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity and examines the nature and forms of conflict as rooted in the society in the history of mankind. It further stresses the urgent need for creating awareness among ethnic groups and religious groups on pluralism of the Nigerian culture as well as the possibility of creating a dynamic and melting point out of this pluralism into nation building, using peace as vehicle for unity and development. Based on theoretical and empirical evidence, the paper also interrogates the level of political awareness, ignorance on the side of the populace, the contact with the forces of western imperialism, the distortion, disarticulation and underdevelopment of Nigeria and views socio-economic, political and cultural factors as responsible and accounting for the existence and growth of conflict in Nigeria. It also considers the problem of religious bigotry, denial of certain fundamental human rights and fear of domination by other tribes or ethnic groups as major impediments in the peace process in Nigeria. The paper adopts structural conflict theory for its analysis, and based on its findings recommends true federalism among others as a panacea for conflict in Nigeria