ABUJA, Nigeria — Competition over land resources, political interests, and poverty are the underlying drivers of conflicts in Nigeria, rather than religion, Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has stated.
Ojukwu made the assertion on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ forum on conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Abuja, where he addressed the root causes of the recurring violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions across the country.
According to the NHRC boss, the tendency to attribute Nigeria’s conflicts to religious differences often oversimplifies a complex web of socio-economic and political factors. He argued that while religion may be used as a tool to mobilise communities, the fundamental drivers of conflict are deeply rooted in competition for resources, land, and political power.
Ojukwu cited the farmer-herder conflicts in the North-Central and North-West regions, noting that they are primarily driven by competition over access to land and water resources, exacerbated by climate change and population growth. He also pointed to communal clashes in the South-East and South-South, which he said are often linked to political contestations and disputes over land ownership.
Poverty, Ojukwu added, remains a significant factor that makes communities vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation by those seeking to advance their political or economic interests. He called on the government to address these underlying drivers through targeted interventions, including land reforms, investment in agriculture, and poverty alleviation programmes.
The NHRC chief urged stakeholders to adopt a more nuanced approach to conflict resolution, one that addresses the root causes of violence rather than merely treating the symptoms. He also called on the media to avoid sensationalism and to report conflicts in a manner that promotes understanding and reconciliation.
The forum brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, and international partners, who deliberated on strategies for promoting peace and preventing conflicts in Nigeria.
Ojukwu’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the causes of conflicts in Nigeria, with many stakeholders calling for a more comprehensive approach to peacebuilding. For now, the NHRC’s position offers a framework for understanding and addressing the complex dynamics that fuel violence across the country.
