Traditional Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Their Role in Managing Disputes in Protected Areas in Nigeria: A Review

Nigeria's protected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and socioeconomic advancement. Conflicts between locals, conservation officials, herders, farmers, and poachers may undermine the management of these locations. This study examines the role and significance of traditional dispute resolution procedures in Nigeria, highlighting their foundation in indigenous institutions, cultural norms, and communal values. It emphasises how diverse ethnic groups—such as the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Tiv, and Kanuri—utilise distinct traditional frameworks, including elders' councils, palace courts, religious leaders, age-grade organisations, and women's groups, to adjudicate and resolve conflicts. These techniques emphasise mediation, consensus, and reconciliation, frequently upheld by social norms, spiritual beliefs, and communal punishments. Although formal legal systems exist, traditional procedures remain effective due to their cultural legitimacy, participatory processes, and ability to maintain social peace. The document emphasises the roles of women and youth in these processes, highlighting their contributions to familial and communal dispute resolution. Regional diversity is recognised as a significant determinant affecting the disparity in practices among various Nigerian communities. The study ultimately suggests that traditional conflict resolution processes complement modern systems and are crucial for grassroots peacebuilding and sustained conflict management in Nigeria.