Current issue

This paper explores the ethno-religious complexities of the farmer-herder conflict in contemporary Nigeria, offering a detailed analysis of its evolution and implications. Through qualitative discourse based on an extensive literature review, as well as primary and secondary data, the study argues that this conflict, originally driven by competition over resources, has evolved into a deeply entrenched identity-based struggle. The transformation of this conflict is framed within the concept of elite manipulation theory and the theory of eco-violence, illustrating how the contestation has shifted from resource-related tensions to more complex, culturally and religiously charged disputes that are usually constructed, activated, mobilised, and manipulated in advancement of the interests of the political elite who resort to that as a means of engendering socio-political capital for the purpose of ensuring competitive political advantage. By tapping into long-standing ethnic and religious divides, the farmer-herder conflict has escalated into a form of ethno-communal crisis that has dramatically altered its scope and intensity. This paper further contends that the shift from economic motivations to identity-driven violence has significantly heightened the stakes, making the conflict a serious threat to Nigeria’s national security. The examination highlights how these transformations have been opportunistically exploited by different actors, leading to wider regional instability, particularly in the North-Central region of the country. In conclusion, the study emphasises the need for a nuanced understanding of the conflict’s ethno-religious dimensions, as well as the urgent need for targeted interventions to address both the immediate and long-term security challenges it poses.