Resolving Violent Conflicts in Nigeria: Towards A Social Contract Approach

Abstract

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