The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Conflict Management in Nigeria

This study takes a critical look at the roles CSOs in Nigeria can play in conflict management. It holds that the monopolization of conflict management process by the instruments of the State characterized the Nigerian political landscape since the attainment of independence in 1960 ; due largely to the long years of military rule in the nation and that the return to democratic rule has fueled the clamor by citizens for the inclusion of CSOs in the management of conflicts in Nigeria. The paper argues that the cost implication of overlooking the contributions of CSOs in the management of conflicts is that, there will be an increase in violent confrontations between armed groups and soldiers, economy will suffer given the absence of peace, authoritarianism will thrive, abuse of human rights will be the order of the day. This paper notes the complacency of successive administrations in according the citizens their basic democratic rights in the political system during this period. It concludes that even though progress has been made by current administrations to open up the political system by allowing CSOs in Nigeria to play active roles in the management of conflicts in Nigeria, such efforts have had little or no impact on issues bothering on conflict resolution in Nigeria, this we argue is due largely to the fact that; the State preferred to use the aristocratic model which restricts the involvement of CSOs in the management of conflicts. The paper then presents the roles CSOs can play in the management of conflicts in Nigeria that will usher in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence and sustenance of same in Nigeria.