Appraisal of Dialogue as a Strategic Conflict Management Tool for Promoting Peace in Nigeria

Abstract

This study is a critical appraisal of dialogue as a strategic tool for resolving social conflicts and promoting peace in Nigeria. It was motivated by the intractable social conflicts and crises that have characterized the country in the past ten years, adversely affecting businesses, farming and inter-tribal trades amongst Nigerians. The specific objective of the study was to ascertain the extent dialogue can serve as a strategic tool to reduce the crises and promote peace in the country. Survey design was adopted in the study. The main instrument was structured questionnaire. Data were sourced from middle-class and lower-class Nigerians, mainly affected by the social crises. A sample size of 240 was judgmentally determined. The data procured were analyzed in Likert’s 5-points scale. Results obtained show that majority of Nigerians strongly believed that dialogue can serve as a strategic tool to significantly reduce conflicts and promote peace in the country. It was then recommended that periodic social research, stakeholders’ meetings, multi-media marketing communications, use of dialogue and equitable income distribution should be used in preventing and managing conflicts in the country.

Keywords: Dialogue, political strategy, marketing communications, conflict resolution, peace, Nigeria.