THE IMPACT OF HERDERS/FARMERS CONFLICT ON NIGERIA’S NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Abstract

The analysis of this paper hinges on the impact of herders/farmers conflict on national integration in Nigeria. There is no doubt that these conflicts have led to wanton destruction lives and property and have retarded both socio-economic and political
development of the nation. This paper is therefore aimed at examining the impact of the conflict on Nigeria’s national integration. Relying on qualitative research approach through the use of secondary data. The paper reveals that,the conflict is greatly affecting the national security of the country, causing unnecessary hatred between and among various ethnic groups thereby leading to disunity. The paper concludes that the unending herders/farmers conflict in Nigeria has negatively affected the values of national integration in the country. It recommends among others that, governments at all levels in Nigeria must wake up to their responsibilities essentially that of protecting lives and property of the citizens through policies and programmes that are capable of halting the menace of herders/farmers conflict. By so doing, peaceful co-existence, national unity and integration among various ethnic groups in the country will be guaranteed.