CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISM EFFECTIVENESS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF HERDERS/FARMERS CONFLICT

Abstract

Herders/farmers conflict has posed a serious national security threat in recent times, resulting in loss of lives, livestock production, and food security in Nigeria. The southwestern part of Nigeria is not exempted. This study examined the effectiveness of the conflict resolution mechanisms adopted to manage the conflict in southwest Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Social identity theory was adopted, which believes that social group membership, also called collective identity, has an impact on self-esteem. Individuals will try to maintain self-esteem by viewing their social groups positively. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data gathering and analysis. Ondo, Ekiti, and Oyo State were randomly selected as study areas. Taro Yamane formula was employed to determine a population sample size of 387, which were purposively selected. Copies of a structured questionnaire were administered to gather quantitative data, and key informants were purposively selected and interviewed to elicit necessary qualitative data. The data analytical method adopted was simple statistics based on percentages and descriptive analysis. The study shows that the conflict intervention mechanisms adopted to manage the conflicts were not effective. These include the intervention of herders– farmers traditional heads (55%); inter-ethnic committees (52%); state ban on open grazing (65%); public campaigns, and sensitization of herders– farmers to ensure compliance with grazing policies and laws (65%), a three-tier conflict management committee (59%) among others. This study, therefore, recommends training on conflict management strategies for herders–farmers, traditional heads, and committees to learn new approaches to conflict resolution, a well-trained and equipped state-based task force to ensure compliance with grazing policies and laws in Ondo state. Finally, the recruitment of more local people into the “Amotekun” security outfit established recently to checkmate security threat activities in the state is advocated.