Economic impacts of ethnic rivalry on Jos, Plateau State 1994-2004

Abstract

Ethnic rivalries are found throughout the early and contemporary development world over. References can be made to Kurunmi, Ogunmola, Kiriji Wars (1877-1893). Another example is the Alaan and Afonja crisis. Disputes involving indigenes and settlers are common nation-wide, for example, the “Ifes” and the “Modakekes”, the Ijebu of Lagos State and those of Ogun State, and the Ijaws and the “Ilajes” in Ondo and Delta States. Therefore ethnic rivalry has received the attention of both local and international scholars. This is because ethnic rivalry seems to have been heated up overtime by the high visibility of mobilized, politicized and ethicized armed ethnic groups found in most Multi ethnic States, as found in Jos, Plateau State. The eve of a democratic Nigeria witnessed high incidence of ethnic related rivalry and violence in North Central areas of Nigeria which Jos, Plateau State belonged. These ethnic rivalries posed serious socioeconomic threats to the State and the fortunes of the people Jeopardized. Hence the paper examines the crucial sectors of the state economy like agriculture, tourism, livestock production and the natural resources that are left unattended to during the crisis.