Ethno-Religious Crisis: The Impact on Nigerian Socio-Economic Development

Since the emergence of the nascent democracy in 1999, Nigeria has become a permanent flashpoint of violent clashes. The State which had hitherto been one of the most relatively peaceful in West Africa has been deeply enmeshed and suffused in political and ethno-religious conflicts characterized by genocidal attacks, bombing, maiming and killings of several persons, loss of business investments, and properties worth several billions of Naira. Within the space of eleven years, several violent political ethno-religious conflicts have been reported in Nigeria and all effort to restore peace has not achieved the desired end. The paper examines the impact of ethno-religious crises on socio-economic development in Nigeria with a view to pinpointing its nature, form, causes and proffering solutions for Nigeria's democracy to thrive. It would seem that democracy has increased the culture of impunity in some people while political differences are believed to have fuelled some of the violence that has erupted. Democratic governance with the underlying emphasis on the activation of the citizenry to realize the ‘common good’ has not taken root in the popular consciousness of Nigerians. Everyone appears to be for himself.