Author(s) :

Olamide S. ADELANA.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

This paper focuses on the institutional problem and social conflicts within the Nigerian state. Nigeria’s institutions have been adjudged as weak and inefficient, with attendant effects on the country’s image, sustainable growth and transformation. The fact that there is a recent and continuous increase in the number of social conflicts in the country makes it a topical issue for discussion in contemporary Nigeria, especially being an entity with multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition. Besides, the negative implications of such conflicts for the socio-economic and political development of the country and its security, as well as the harmonious relationship among its diverse citizenry, make it a relevant issue for discussion. The overall objective of the paper is to ascertain the viability of strong institutions and social conflict mitigation as keys to building and developing the Nigerian state. It, therefore, addresses key questions such as: What is the nature and evolution of the Nigerian state? What roles do institutions play in the development of the Nigerian state? What are the effects of social conflicts on the Nigerian state? How can institutional frameworks be used to mitigate social conflicts within the context of the Nigerian state? The paper relies on secondary data and adopts a qualitative research approach as well as descriptive and content analysis to address the research objectives and questions. It assumes that the foundations and institutions of corporate existence in Nigeria are weak, deficient or declining in capacity and need to be strengthened. Besides, there have been increasing occurrences of social conflicts since independence, especially in the Fourth Republic, with devastating consequences on Nigerians, national security, development and nation-building. Further, the Nigerian state is seemingly failing outrageously and needs to be restructured with sustainable institutional frameworks, which are capable and formidable enough to facilitate harmony in the heterogeneous polity and bring about lasting development in accordance with global best practices. Key Words: Development, Government, Institution, Nigeria, Social Conflict, State.

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