Political and ethno-religious tensions in Nigeria: historical dynamics and contemporary implications for national security

Аннотация

Political and ethno-religious tensions in Nigeria pose significant challenges to national security COPYRIGHT © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms and stability, rooted in colonial-era policies that of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. institutionalized ethnic and religious divisions. These historical grievances compounded by contemporary socio-political dynamics, manifest in electoral violence, insurgencies like Boko Haram, farmer-herder clashes, and secessionist movements such as IPOB. The study investigates these tensions by exploring their historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and impact on national security, employing Marxist, and Functionalist theories to provide a robust theoretical framework. Using a qualitative research design, data were gathered from archival records, governmental and non- governmental reports, and case studies, including the Kano Riots of 1953, the Maitatsine Riots of 1980, and the Boko Haram insurgency and the likes. Findings reveal that these tensions are exacerbated by governance failures, socio-economic inequalities, and the manipulation of identity politics, with severe implications for national security, such as displacement, economic disruption, and weakened state legitimacy. While interventions like the Niger Delta Amnesty Program and anti-open grazing laws have yielded partial success, their limited scope underscores the need for comprehensive reforms. The study concludes that addressing these tensions requires historical reconciliation, inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and sustainable conflict-resolution mechanisms. Thus the study recommends establishing a The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology 76 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajpslc The American Journal of Political Science Law and Criminology national reconciliation commission, decentralizing and Igbo in the east—are further divided along religious governance, promoting interfaith dialogue, and lines, with Islam predominantly practiced in the north enhancing security frameworks through community and Christianity in the south. These divisions have policing and stakeholder engagement. These measures historically been politicized, fostering competition for aim to address the root causes of tensions and foster resources, power, and representation (Agu, 2024). Over long-term stability and peace. By integrating historical, the decades, these political and ethno-religious tensions political, and socio-economic dimensions, the study have escalated into recurrent conflicts, ranging from provides a roadmap for mitigating political and ethno- civil wars to communal violence, and the insurgency of religious tensions in Nigeria. extremist groups like Boko Haram. The cumulative impact of these conflicts has led to a deterioration of national security, characterized by loss of lives, Keywords: Political tensions, Ethno-religious conflict, displacement of populations, and economic disruptions. National security, Governance. The interplay between economic challenges and social tensions underscores the need for a comprehensive Introduction: In the contemporary landscape of approach to governance that addresses both security globalization, national security has become an and socio-economic development. The Nigerian increasingly pressing concern for governments across government's response to these multifaceted the globe. The stability of nations hinges not only on challenges has included various policy initiatives aimed their ability to protect territorial sovereignty but also at fostering national unity and addressing the root on their capacity to address internal socio-political causes of conflict. However, the effectiveness of these dynamics that threaten peace and cohesion. Political strategies remains a topic of debate among scholars and and ethno-religious tensions have been identified as policymakers. Some argue that a more inclusive significant destabilizing factors, manifesting in various approach, which considers the diverse interests of forms such as civil unrest, insurgencies, and intergroup Nigeria's ethnic groups, is essential for achieving long- conflicts (Joshi, 2024). These tensions, which have term stability (Kyuvi, 2023). This perspective aligns with been observed from the Balkans to the Middle East, the notion that good governance, characterized by have demonstrated a capacity to undermine transparency and accountability, is crucial for fostering governance, erode social cohesion, and derail trust among citizens and mitigating the risks of conflict developmental progress (Okeke‐Ihejirika & Odimegwu, (Bah & Ouedraogo, 2022). 2022; Kehinde, 2023). Moreover, the role of international organizations in In Africa, the interplay of political and ethno-religious supporting Nigeria's efforts to enhance its national divisions presents formidable challenges to nation- security cannot be understated. A robust and equita