IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )

E-ISSN 2504-883X
P-ISSN 2695 2432
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jpslr.vol.11.no4.2025.pg77.109

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Conflict Management Strategies and Development of Rural Communities in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

E O Davies, PhD, O E Leonard

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Abstract

Conflict management strategies and their implications for societal renewal and advancement have been a major area of focus for peace and conflict resolution experts, especially as it pertains to rural communities of third world countries such as, Nigeria. This paper examined conflict management strategies and development of rural communities in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The study is anchored on the Anomic theory as its theoretical framework of analysis. The study adopted the mixed research design. A sample of 400 respondents drawn from a population of 44,112,908 representing the nine (9) Niger Delta States of Nigeria by the use of Taro Yamene Formula. A 4-point modified Likert scale questionnaire was used to glean data from the respondents. This was supplemented by relevant information gotten from textbooks, journal articles and other secondary sources as well as interview. Generated data were analyzed using simple percentages and tables, while hypothesis was tested by the use of Chi-square. The study concluded that the dynamic nature of communal conflicts in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria is alarmingly high due to the richness of the area with petroleum oil. The study thus found amongst others that incessant land disputes, leadership tussles, local control over territories, political struggles and greed were significant causes of communal conflicts. The study recommends that; the varied conflict management strategies or conflict resolution processes adopted should be deliberately aimed at developmental programmes for the communities not merely for punitive measures of offenders.

keywords:

Conflict, Management, Communities, Development, Rural.

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