Conflict is a phenomenon that is inevitable in all human relationship. However, the most important thing about conflict is how it is resolved. Conflict as related to Nigeria is increasing becoming an in-detachable concept resulting from its rampancy. This has led to this theme over flooding in many political science undergraduate project topics in most institutions in Nigeria. And even other disciplines like History and International Studies, Sociology and Anthropology among others.

Obviously, Nigeria is endowed with great human and material resources however, conflict has not allowed Nigeria to enjoy the God given wealth such as petroleum, arable land for agriculture coal, petroleum, population. These immense resources would have been used in the overall development of the country through the provision of infrastructure viz: good roads, electricity, hospital, schools, just to mention a few.

Nigeria has witnessed many conflicts revolving around political, economic, religious and ethnic motives before and after independence in I960. Among them are the Kano riot (1953), Action Group crisis of 1962, western election crisis of 1965. Other conflicts that have bedevilled the nation include the Warri city oil-ethnic conflicts, the Ife-Modakeke, the Aguleri-Umuleri, Igbide-Emede, the Tiv-Jukun, the Kano Maitasaine conflicts, the youth restiveness and militancy in the Niger Delta, terror upsurge from Boko Haram, and many others

It is crucial to say at this point that conflict can retard or hold growth and bring friction in a situation where there should be progress or development. The following are its effect in Nigeria;

Destruction of Lives and Properties: Many lives and properties were destroyed in conflict times. For instance, in the Ife-Modakeke Crisis, one of the oldest intra-ethnic conflict in Nigeria has ever recorded over 2000 deaths, injuries aside, in the last two decades. Even, in the Niger Delta Crisis has equally made Nigeria’s government to lose $15.8 billion through pipeline vandalism and associated crime by Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta fighting control. These enormous losses of human and material resources have contributed greatly to the underdevelopment of Nigeria.

Disruption of Election Process: The effects of conflict in the political fora cannot be overemphasized. This is obvious in the organization of free and fair election in Nigeria. Conflicts have disrupted the conduct of free and fair elections that affects the legitimacy of the elected government at whatever level of government where there is conflict. Conflict has created apathy and disenfranchisement that affected the credibility of the election results.

Reduction of Investment Rate: A conflict prone area like Nigeria and by extension Africa breed low investment. The occurrence of conflict in Nigeria has led to a reduction in investment by private individual and other multimillion companies which would have created a boast to the Nigerian economy.

The effect of conflict cannot be overemphasized; it also breeds increasing disunity for an already diversified country like Nigeria. In essence, it further leads to the breakdown of the country as it will place the country at the constant state of retrogression.