Ethnic and Religious Conflicts and its Impact on National Development

Abstract

This study is on ethnic and religious conflicts and its impact on national development. The study was carried out because Nigeria today, ethno-religious conflict has been a recurrent and common phenomenon. The study used conflict theory to analyze the subject matter. It was found that Nigeria can only achieve national development if the challenge of ethno-religious conflicts is reduced. It was recommended that both federal, state governments and religion leaders both Muslim and Christian should develop other strategies like external assistance to take full account of the political, ethnic and religious dynamics in order to reduce ethno-religion conflicts and the occurrence of the phenomenon.  There is need to create room for interethnic and interfaith dialogue, this will promote and protect the rights of all citizens irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic class and age and preventing insecurity and Federal, state, and local governments should address the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, in order to reduce conflict.