The media, conflict resolution and indigene-non-indigene relationship in Nigeria

Abstract

Indigene and non-indigene issues have been of global concern, with Nigeria having her fair share of the challenges. The distinction between indigenous people and settler groups, even in ancient kingdoms and primordial communities attest to this. However, in the contemporary Nigerian society, the strained relationship between indigenes and nonindigenes has assumed a dangerous dimension leading to the main objective of this study, which is to explore the role the media play in reducing the indigenes and non-indigenes conflicts in Nigeria. The scope of the study covers economy, politics, conflict and education. The paper was anchored on Culture Conflict Theory. The findings revealed that the unhealthy struggle for scarce economic resources and the discrimination in the economic and political spheres between the indigenes and the settlers in the various States of Nigeria create distrust that threatens the corporate existence of Nigeria as one united and indivisible nation. Based on the findings, we recommend that the Nigerian media should set agenda on this issue to emphasise the need for Nigerians to live together in harmony and that we can co-exist as one united entity.