Social Protection and Peacebuilding: Exploring the Causal Relationship between Social Protection Programmes and Conflict Reduction in Nigeria

Social protection programmes aimed at alleviating poverty, inequality, and vulnerability in conflict-affected areas in Nigeria have been implemented by national and international organisations, including the Nigerian government. Against the backdrop of Nigeria's complex socio-political landscape, marked by recurring religious, ethnic, and resource-based conflicts, this study seeks to investigate the causal relationship between social protection programmes and conflict reduction in Nigeria, throwing the spotlight on their effectiveness and implications for peacebuilding initiatives. Using a qualitative desktop research approach, secondary data were sourced from a variety of sources, including national surveys, programme evaluations, and conflict databases. These data sources provide information on the implementation of social protection Programs and conflict dynamics in Nigeria over time. The study findings show that, by addressing socioeconomic grievances, social protection programmes not only influence conflict dynamics in Nigeria but also reduce the propensity for conflict in general. The finding also shows that while social protection programmes are intended to reduce conflict, they may encounter difficulties. This study sheds light on these unintended consequences by providing a balanced view of the impact of social protection programmes on conflict dynamics in Nigeria. The study concludes by providing policymakers and development practitioners with evidence-based recommendations on how to design, implement, and evaluate social protection programmes that contribute to conflict reduction and peacebuilding in Nigeria.