HERDSMEN-FARMERS CONFLICT AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

One amazing fact and which we must embrace and all see as altruism is that conflict is an inevitable part of all human societies. These conflicts come in different dimensions and with divergent effects or consequences on various groups in society. Thus, the overall effect on the socio - economic development of the country cannot simply be wished away. One of such conflicts is the herdsmen-farmers' conflict. The relationship between these two groups is supposed to be symbiotic but have rather turned to be mostly antagonistic. This paper therefore seeks to examine the effects of these conflicts on the overall socio economic development of the country. This paper is a documentary research and adopts the historical dialectical materialism theory of Marx as its theoretical framework. The data used for this study are mainly secondary data derived from various government official documents/publications, journals, newspapers among others. These data were analyzed using the content analysis approach. The paper found out that these conflicts have threatened and continues to threaten the means of livelihood and survival of both the farmers and pastoralists. It has caused numerous loss of valuable human life, properties, cows and crops thereby discouraging farming and other socio - economic activities. The paper thus concludes that the herdsmen-farmers' conflict is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. It comes with its attendant dire negative consequences, not just on individuals or groups involved but the society at large. Overall, it has slowed down the socio - economic development of Nigeria. The paper therefore advocates among others a proactive action by the government to mitigate the consequences of these conflicts on our developmental process, consider the possibilities of assisting the herdsmen adopt the modern best practices of ranching and /or establishing defined grazing routes in the country. These efforts will no doubt checkmate these heinous conflicts and return the country to the path of development which we have always craved for.