THE ROLE OF ETHNO-RELIGIOUS POLITICS IN NIGERIA’S SECURITY CRISIS

Abstract

This study investigates the intersection of ethno-religious politics and national insecurity in Nigeria from 2015 to 2025, a period marked by deepening socio-political fragmentation and heightened violence. Using a qualitative research design grounded in Social Identity Theory, the research analyzes how political actors instrumentalize ethnic and religious affiliations to mobilize support, delegitimize opponents, and justify exclusionary policies, all of which fuel insecurity. Secondary data were drawn from academic journals, policy briefs, institutional reports, and reputable Nigerian newspapers published between 2019 and 2024. Thematic content analysis revealed a strong correlation between political manipulation of identity and recurring patterns of insurgency, electoral violence, religious extremism, and secessionist agitations. The study finds that ethno-religious profiling by state and non-state actors entrenches division and weakens state legitimacy, thereby impeding effective security responses. Empirical references show that incidents such as Boko Haram’s resurgence, IPOB’s separatist campaigns, and herder-farmer conflicts are often shaped by identity narratives propagated in both elite discourse and grassroots mobilization. The research recommends institutional reforms to promote inclusive governance, the establishment of neutral security frameworks, and strategic interfaith and interethnic dialogues as long-term solutions. Ultimately, the paper concludes that Nigeria’s security architecture cannot be sustainably reformed without addressing the politicization of identity and the structural inequalities it perpetuates.