Exploring the Socio-cultural Strategies of Managing Communal Conflict in Kwara State, Nigeria
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Date
2024-06-24
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Ilorin Journal of Criminology and Security Studies, Department of Criminology and Security Studies, University of Ilorin.
Abstract
Culture is a dominant factor in how people wish to manage conflict in their relationships and in how
affinity are conceptualized. Culture provides the social rules and norms that guide and regulate social
behaviors, which could have effect through relational orientations and values of individuals. In spite of
the fact that many scholars have written extensively on how traditional conflict management techniques
have been able to proffer solutions to conflicts in African societies, little is known about cultural conflict
management strategies in Kwara State. Hence, the study aims to explore the socio-cultural strategies of
managing communal conflict in Kwara State. The study utilizes a mixed design, combining quantitative
and qualitative methods. Structured questionnaire was used for the quantitative data, while key
informant interview and focus group discussions plans were employed for the qualitative data collection.
Purposive sampling techniques were used to select 1010 respondents, 30 participants for key informant
interview and 48 respondents for focus group discussions. Data analysis was based on descriptive
statistics for quantitative data interpretation, and content analysis for the qualitative data. The study
found that the strategies of managing communal conflict in the selected communities were utilization of
early warning signal (89%), teaching peace education (87.2%), and collaboration with security agencies
(79.6%), round table discussion facilitation (71%), and signing memorandum of understanding between
parties (65.1%). The study concluded that the strategies of socio-cultural organizations at curbing
communal conflict have impacted positively on community security in the State.