Abstract

Nigeria is faced by various devastating political and socio-economic conditions, with about 250 multicultural ethnic nationalities; Nigeria is plagued by religious, ethnic, communal and resource conflict. Large resources and benefits from oil wealth could not touch the lives of the people. Allegiances to ethnic groups come first before the Nigeria state. Resource control agitations in the Niger Delta have given birth to various militia groups. The rise of vigilante groups, separatist groups, and the Boko Haram (Western or non-Islamic education is a sin) threatens the hard earned democracy, growth and development and the coexistence of Nigeria as a nation. Unfortunately, democracy that seems to be a dream come true is fast turning a nightmare. The April 2007 polls that were characterized by irregularities marked the first handover of power between civilian governments which set the pace for future civil democratic transition to another. Many of the challenges faced by Nigeria today were analyzed in this paper with possible solutions that will awaken Nigeria to its position in Africa and avert the 1967 to 1970 civil war experience.

Key words: Conflict resolution, challenges to peace, socio-economic conditions, resource control.