TRANSFORMING VIOLENT CONFLICT INTO COOPERATION IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Violent conflict exists whenever there is a struggle over something of great value. The nature of violent conflict is determined by the value placed on a particular phenomenon that is responsible for the violent conflict. The level of cooperation will be determined by the ability of the government to build cooperative groups and a cooperative environment or less cooperative  groups and a violent conflict environment. This is on the basis that violent conflict is usually tied to struggle over socio-economic considerations that have to do with survival or identity in many African countries. Literature abounds on violent conflict, however not much is known  about violent conflict and cooperation. Few studies agree that violent conflict can be transformed into cooperation; however, these studies failed to agree on the phenomenon that can transform violent conflict into cooperation. It is this lack of agreement on the phenomenon that transforms violent conflict into cooperation that informs the present study. It is based on the foregoing that this study examines challenges for transforming violent conflict into  cooperation in Nigeria. This study employed a documentary research method, where secondary sources of data were consulted. The observation method of gathering data was also employed to benefit from the experience of the researchers. The study finds out among other things that the weak institutions preserved by the government, individuals and groups promoted corruption, poverty and unemployment, illiteracy and lack of knowledge, and feelings of injustice to produce less-cooperative groups that engage in violent conflict in the Nigerian society. These developments hinder violent conflict from being transformed into cooperation. The study recommends among other things that individuals, groups and governments at all levels should build strong institutions that could address the challenges of corruption, poverty and unemployment, illiteracy and lack of knowledge, feelings of injustice and politically motivated violent conflict that produce violent conflict.