CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA

Pastoralists and farmers clashes in different parts of Nigeria have been on the increase since the return to democratic governance in 1999. While it is recognised that both parties have been living peaceably for decades, several factors have affected this relationship and have made the onset of con...

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Main Authors: Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko, Joy Ede Ukoje
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Federal University Wukari 2023-09-01
Series:International Studies Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/200
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author Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko
Joy Ede Ukoje
author_facet Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko
Joy Ede Ukoje
author_sort Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko
collection DOAJ
description Pastoralists and farmers clashes in different parts of Nigeria have been on the increase since the return to democratic governance in 1999. While it is recognised that both parties have been living peaceably for decades, several factors have affected this relationship and have made the onset of conflicts inevitable. For instance, climate change, drought, desertification and flooding have necessitated the movement of herders from their base in the northern part of the country to the south for greener pastures, a move that has pitched them against southern farmers whose crops are often destroyed during such migrations. Furthermore, population explosion, blocking of traditional grazing routes, cattle rustling and banditry as well as manipulation of the crisis by the political elite, have all aided the exacerbation of the conflict. Sourcing data from theoretical and empirical evidence, this study examines the phenomenon of pastoralists and farmers conflict in Nigeria and their potential for instability in the African sub-region. Findings from the study show that tensions or any major confrontation between the Fulani and other ethnic groups in Nigeria could have a spillover effect on neighbouring African countries with repercussions on Africa’s security and stability. This is because the Fulani ethnic group is found across several African countries and transnational livestock migrations could draw in fighters from neighbouring countries. Besides, the conflict could articulate other types of conflicts on the continent. To manage the conflict, the author recommends that African governments should muster the political will to address the security challenges posed to the African continent by the conflict by reviewing the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol among others.
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spelling doaj-art-44eb0a7b4ee24b29968d9174ef3f858e2025-02-10T10:00:54ZengFederal University WukariInternational Studies Journal2756-46492023-09-0173CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICAAngela Ajodo-Adebanjoko0Joy Ede Ukoje1Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State, NigeriaFederal University Lokoja, Kogi State Pastoralists and farmers clashes in different parts of Nigeria have been on the increase since the return to democratic governance in 1999. While it is recognised that both parties have been living peaceably for decades, several factors have affected this relationship and have made the onset of conflicts inevitable. For instance, climate change, drought, desertification and flooding have necessitated the movement of herders from their base in the northern part of the country to the south for greener pastures, a move that has pitched them against southern farmers whose crops are often destroyed during such migrations. Furthermore, population explosion, blocking of traditional grazing routes, cattle rustling and banditry as well as manipulation of the crisis by the political elite, have all aided the exacerbation of the conflict. Sourcing data from theoretical and empirical evidence, this study examines the phenomenon of pastoralists and farmers conflict in Nigeria and their potential for instability in the African sub-region. Findings from the study show that tensions or any major confrontation between the Fulani and other ethnic groups in Nigeria could have a spillover effect on neighbouring African countries with repercussions on Africa’s security and stability. This is because the Fulani ethnic group is found across several African countries and transnational livestock migrations could draw in fighters from neighbouring countries. Besides, the conflict could articulate other types of conflicts on the continent. To manage the conflict, the author recommends that African governments should muster the political will to address the security challenges posed to the African continent by the conflict by reviewing the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol among others. https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/200pastoralistsfarmersconflictpastoralists farmers conflictinsecurity
spellingShingle Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko
Joy Ede Ukoje
CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA
International Studies Journal
pastoralists
farmers
conflict
pastoralists farmers conflict
insecurity
title CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA
title_full CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA
title_fullStr CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA
title_full_unstemmed CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA
title_short CONFLICT BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND FARMERS IN NIGERIA AND ITS POTENTIALS FOR REGIONAL INSECURITY IN AFRICA
title_sort conflict between pastoralists and farmers in nigeria and its potentials for regional insecurity in africa
topic pastoralists
farmers
conflict
pastoralists farmers conflict
insecurity
url https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/200
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AT joyedeukoje conflictbetweenpastoralistsandfarmersinnigeriaanditspotentialsforregionalinsecurityinafrica