Pathways to Harmony: Bridging Nigeria's Intercultural & Inter religious Divides (A case study of Christian genocide in Nigeria)

Abstract

This study examines pathways to harmony in Nigeria by analysing the twin interplay of intercultural and interreligious violence, with a specific focus on targeted attacks against Christian communities. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative analysis of conflict datasets from 2019 to 2025, including the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), International Crisis Group, and Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) with qualitative thematic evaluation of government reports, media accounts and scholarly literature. Guided by Intergroup Threat Theory, the study identifies both realistic threats such as competition over land, resources, and political representation and symbolic threats like challenges to cultural and religious identity as central drivers of intergroup hostility. Empirical findings reveal a consistent escalation in violence, with recorded incidents targeting Christian populations rising from 420 in 2019 to 810 in 2025, and estimated fatalities increasing from 2,110 to 3,470 over the same period. The study further documents associated displacement patterns, regional hotspots and attacks on religious institutions, highlighting the systemic vulnerability of affected communities. Based on these findings, evidence-informed strategic interventions including strengthened institutional protection, interreligious dialogue, early-warning systems and cooperative economic initiatives are proposed as pragmatic pathways to mitigating intergroup conflict. The research contributes a comprehensive, data-driven framework for understanding and addressing Nigeria’s interreligious and intercultural divides, offering actionable insights for policymakers, security agencies, and peacebuilding stakeholders.