Ethnic and Religious Conflict in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria: A Dangerous Threat to Human Existence and Business Activities

Abstract

The thesis of this study is to examine the implications of ethnic and religious conflict on human existence and business activities to residents of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting four hundred (400) participants from five districts in Jos metropolis. Questionnaire was the major instrument for primary data collection. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the Cronbach method. The obtained data were statistically analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Each hypothesis was tested at 0.05 per cent level of significance. The results obtained from the analysis of data shows that ethnic and religious crisis is a deadly threat to human existence and it significantly affects business activities in Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study concluded that ethnic and religious crisis portends great danger to human existence and a threat to business activities in the country. It was recommended among others that National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be strengthened and empowered to mobilize and create consistent national awareness on the ills of crisis, be it religious, ethnic, or communal crisis. Nigerians should be made to understand that at the end of every crisis, it is the people and the nation that suffers the damages. Finally, government must move from policy of conflict resolution to conflict prevention.

Keywords: Insecurity, human existence, business activities, ethnic, religious and conflict