Herders-Farmers Conflict in Ekiti State, Nigeria: Issues and Challenges

Conflict emerges from interaction among human beings who in their day to day activities interact with one another either at the interpersonal level or inter-group level. Such interaction may lead to incompatibility or opposition as a result of the pursuit of interest and goals. Farmers and herders dispute continues to endanger human and economic life. The fierce fight for scarce resources has resulted in many deaths and herd destruction. In majority of these exchanges, people are slain and property damaged or lost, leaving an already vulnerable populace poorer. As a result of the frequency and intensity of these clashes, towns and villages have been destroyed; crops have been squandered as well as human and animal life. It is on this basis that this study examined herders-farmers conflict in Ekiti North in Ekiti State, Nigeria: causes, consequences and path to sustainable resolution. This study formulated four (4) research questions which in turn formed the objectives of the study and basic assumptions. With a view to understanding what past and present scholars have written concerning the topic, this study adopted the thematic pattern of literature review and it also used the group conflict theory as its theoretical underpinning. By its methodology, this study was purely quantitative. This study made some revelation that: (i) Community-based security groups (e.g., vigilantes, Amotekun) are actively involved in protecting farmers and residents. The government should increase support for local security outfits such as Amotekun and community vigilante groups through better funding, training, and legal backing. This will empower them to respond proactively and professionally to emerging threats; (ii) Local security initiatives should be effective in addressing herder-farmer violence. The state and federal governments should align agricultural, security, and land-use policies with conflict-sensitive strategies. Clear land demarcation, grazing policies, and compensation frameworks should be implemented transparently; (iii) Stakeholder collaboration (including government, NGOs, and religious leaders) is key to sustainable conflict resolution. Programmes focused on cultural tolerance, non-violent communication, and rights-based education should be developed and embedded in community-based activities. This will reduce mutual suspicion and foster long-term harmony.