ABSTRACT

The study focused on finding out the social and economic costs of Fulani herdsmen and farmersconflict among the residents of  Nimbo community in  Uzo-Uwani local  government area ofEnugu state. The study had the following specific objectives: finding out the perceived social andeconomic costs of farmers-herders crisis among the residents of Nimbo, and finding out theimplications of the findings to social work practice in Nigeria. The study adopted the theory ofeco-violence which was propounded by Thomas Homer-Dixon in (1999) who offers explanationon how environmental factors and exploitation of scarce resources leads to conflict and violenceas its theoretical framework. The study adopted cross sectional survey design. In the samplingmethod, random sampling, quota sampling and availability sampling techniques were used. Datawere collected using questionnaire and IDI guide. Data were analyzed using SPSS and presentedusing frequency distribution tables and percentages. Three hypotheses were postulated for thisstudy and they were tested using the chi-square (X2) statistics. The findings revealed that themajor cause of the Fulani herdsmen and farmer’s conflict is destruction of crops by the herders.The study further revealed that the major social cost of the Fulani herdsmen and farmer’s conflictis loss of life. The findings further revealed that the major economic cost of the Fulani herdsmenis infrastructural damages. The study recommended that the state and federal government shouldhelp  provide a   stable   and   conformation   security   operative   in  the  community  to  protect   theresidents against further attacks. Major implication of the findings for social work practice inNigeria is that the profession should be part of the conflict resolution team that will address theconflict between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page  i

Approval page  ii

Dedication  iii

Acknowledgement  iv

Table of contents  v

List of tables  vii

Abstract.  ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study  1

1.2 Statement of the problem  6

1.3 Research questions  10

1.4 Objectives of the study  11

1.5 Significance of the study  11

1.6 Operationalization of key concepts 12

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 

2.1. Review of empirical literature 14

2.2. Review of theoretical literature.  22

2.3. Review of relevant theories 

2.4. Theoretical framework  33

2.5. Study hypotheses  34

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1. Research design  35

3.2 Area of the study 35

3.3 Population of the study 36

3.4. Sample size  36

3.5 Sampling techniques  37

3.6. Instruments for data collection  38

3.7. Administration of instruments  38

3.8. Methods of data analysis  38

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSES, HYPOTHESIS TESTINGAND DISCUSSION 

4.1Socio demographic characteristics of respondents 41

4.2 Presentation of substantive issues of the study 45

4.3Cross tabulation of research variables 62

4.4Test of hypotheses             65

4.5Discussion of findings 69

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1Summary of findings              71

5.2 Relationship between findings and theoretical framework 72

5.3 Conclusion             73

5.4 Implications of the finding to social work practice 74        

5.5 Limitations of the study  76

5.6 Recommendations

5.7 Suggestions for further studies              77

REFERENCES 80

APPENDICES 90