Inter-Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution in Nigeria

Since 1982, Nigeria has experienced more than ten large scale ethnic or religious riots in its major cities. These violent clashes have wreaked economic, political, and social havoc; caused an enormous number of deaths and injuries; and posed serious obstacles to Nigeria's sociopolitical development as well as retarded efforts at nation-building. The papers collected in this book serve as a critical part of an overall objective to develop and promote mechanisms for the understanding and resolution of ethnic and religious conflicts in Nigeria. Both academic and community leaders address various aspects of these conflicts, and Uwazie offers several thoughtful options for their successful resolution. Inter-Ethnic and Religious Conflict Resolution in Nigeria will interest students of African history and current affairs, scholars of anthropology and ethnicity studies, and those involved in international relations and peace studies.

Dr. Isaac O. Albert is a senior lecturer in African history and development studies in the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Rev. Dr. Iheanyi M. Enwerem is a priest and research scholar at the Dominican Institute, Ibadan, Nigeria. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kenny is a professor and head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Ibadan. Dr. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan is a senior lecturer of law at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, and is currently on leave to serve as Assistant Director of Research, Planning and Statistics at the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja, Nigeria. Dr. Olakunle Odumosu is a senior research fellow in the Social Development Department of the Nigerian Institute of Social Economic Research, Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr. F.O. Nyenmutu Roberts is a senior research fellow in the Social Development Department at the Nigerian Institute of Social Economic Research, Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr. Antonia Simbine is a senior research fellow in the Social Development Department of the Nigerian Institute of Social Economic Research (NISER) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Dr. Ernest E. Uwazie is an associate professor of criminal justice and director of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento. Ms. Queen Florence Uwazie received her graduate degree in political science from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is currently involved in grassroots conflict resolution programs in Nigeria. Dr. G.N. Uzoigwe is a professor of history and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. During the 1997-98 academic year, he was a Distinguished Visiting Professor of History at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Dr. J. Ademola Yakubu is a senior lecturer of law at the University of Ibadan and was formerly Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Oyo State, Nigeria.