The Role of Civil Actors in Peace Mediation and Post-War Reconstruction: A Focus on Nigeria

The purpose of this research is to conceptualize Nigerian civil society, to assess its potential and capability of effectively mitigating ethno-religious conflicts in the nation. By conceptualizing civil society in Nigeria, the research points out the strengths and limitations to the concept’s effectiveness, looking at the historical understanding of the concept in the Nigerian context, also contradictions and particularities embedded within traditional civil society, especially with the states inability to carry out its responsibility to its citizens.
In conducting this research, qualitative in-depth interviews of thirty-six civil society organisations were conducted, to contrast theoretical principles of the concept in order to understand the relevance of civil Societies in the resolution of ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria. The analysis will establish that the relationship between civil society and the state is characterized by civil society being critical of the Nigerian state without really opposing the state, although it is done in a tense and suspicious environment. Here, civil society is understood to work closely with the state to meet the socio-economic needs and aspirations of diverse groups. The analysis will also explain that the causes of conflict are social, economic, and political in nature, and that is why most of the organisation's carry out both direct and indirect roles in resolving conflicts. It will also show that though civil society organisations are involved in some direct conflict resolution roles, most organisations are involved in indirect socio-economic roles that they hope will mitigate against structural violence in Nigeria.