Domestic Diasporas And Trans-Border Migrations: The Implications For Communal Relations, Conflict Resolution And Political Stability In Nigeria

Abstract

Many communal crises have resulted in Nigeria as a result of the unhealthy relationships that exist between the so-called migrant settlers and the indigenous populations. These unhealthy relationships emerged as a result of trans-border migrations between communities. While these migration existed in the pre-colonial period the relationships between the indigenes and non-indigenes or settlers were sometimes harmonious, the dynamics of colonial developments encouraged ethnic and communal competition for the control of socio-political and economic benefits arising from colonialism. Often the migrant settlers or what we call here, domestic diasporas, in the context of migrations that are internally directed, usually become more prosperous because of their propensity for hard work. This tendency has resulted in disparaging relations and into serious inter-communal and ethno-communal crises all over the country. Obviously, this situation could lead to political instability if nothing is done to stem the unhealthy relationship between the indigenes and the domestic diasporans or migrant settlers. It is the solution to this quagmire that this paper intends to discuss.

Journal of Research in National Development Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 11-20