Date of Submission
Fall 12-15-2022
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in International Conflict Management (Ph.D. INCM)
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Prof. Akanmu Adebayo
Committee Member
Prof. Darina Lepadatu
Committee Member
Prof. Ali Askerov
Abstract
Abstract
Intra-ethnic conflicts are often present in post-colonial West African nations, and these conflicts vary in type and severity. Land is a significant cause of violent conflicts, especially boundary disputes among major ethnic groups. These conflicts are assessed through public narratives that provide little or no in-depth insight into the conflict. This dissertation is a case study of the conflict between Offa and Erinle in Kwara State, Nigeria. The research proceeded from a socio-psychological lens to understand the factors contributing to the intractability of the conflict between Offa and Erinle. The study relied on the tenets of the contact hypothesis framework developed by Gordon Allport (1956) and Forbes (1997) and their suggestions on ways to transform hostile relationships. The methodological approach employed in the study involved collecting and analyzing field interviews. The study found, among other things, that the transitional justice approach employed since 1962 has not been effective and has become a core factor contributing to the intractability of the conflict between Offa and Erinle. Also, the study found that Offa and Erinle have a history of cooperation and co-existence before colonial occupation in the region. This study recommends that there is a need to delegate authority to traditional kings through the revival and adaptation of the pre-colonial indigenous resolution approaches, a system of reconciliation that complements the culture and social norms of Offa and Erinle. Other findings and recommendations make a strong call to Nigeria and other West African nations to revive their dying indigenous knowledge. Furthermore, these recommendations ask for a pushback on the continued dominance of endogenous knowledge, especially in the scholarly discourse of transitional justice.