Resolving Violent Conflicts in Nigeria: Towards A Social Contract Approach

Abstract

Following the independence of Nigeria in 1960, there were hopes that the culturally and linguistically diverse groups of people successfully welded together by the British in 1914 would quickly become an epitome of democracy, peace and prosperity. Those hopes were dashed within the first seven years of the country’s existence as an independent nation. After 30 months of civil war, decades of military rule and various democratic experiments, this richly endowed country of over 200 million people is still caught in the web of incessant mutual distrust that often gives rise to violent conflicts across the country. Various conflict-management and peace-building measures put in place have not led to reduction in incidences of violent clashes among Nigerians. It is the position of this paper that a social-contract model of resolving conflicts can galvanize the people of Nigeria towards reaching common terms for peaceful co-existence and position Nigeria for durable peace and development.