The "Us" and "Them" Divide: Rethinking the Role of Young People in Religious Conflicts in Nigeria

As a value-based problem, religious conflicts are disruptive and protracted. Indeed, Nigeria has experienced a plethora of protracted religious conflicts since independence in I960. Constituting major actors in these conflicts are young people, who play critical roles in fomenting and escalating them. Although extant literature acknowledges this preponderant place of young people in these conflicts, it tends to negate the potential constructive roles they play in managing the conflicts. This paper explores the disruptive and potential constructive roles of the youths as principal actors in religious conflicts in Nigeria. It argues that if armed with the right education on peace and tolerance, young people can play critical preventive and curative roles in religious conflict theaters in Nigeria. Exploring these youths' strengths is pertinent for a multidimensional approach to addressing religious conflicts and violence in Nigeria .