THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) IN POST-CONFLICT PEACE BUILDING IN NORTH EASTERN, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nigeria as a sovereign state is characterized by the dynamics of crisis which slow – pace of its developments in all ramifications. The ill political will on the part of the government to address the post – conflict phenomena, particularly in north – eastern part of Nigeria, became an issue which draw the attention of the local and international community. This development specially dragged the attention of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in handling humanitarian services at various internally displaced camps, of the region. Elite theory which hinges on the thrust that public policy is by and large the mirror image of elite interest was employed to guide the analysis of this work. Content analysis was equally used as a source of data collection and it revealed that the Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are institution of humanitarian services characterized with some pitfalls, in the post-conflict areas of the north-eastern Nigeria. The paper critically reviewed the existing literature both conceptually and thematically and relied on secondary source of data and examination of official documents as its methodology. The paper is structured into eight interrelated compartments. The paper recommends that government should carefully scrutinize and thoroughly accredit all NGOs participating in the post-conflict areas, before granting license to operate. The paper concludes that the role of NGOs in the Post-conflict region should go/operate beyond humanitarian services, to include reconstruction and resettlement as lasting solution to the conflict. Key words: NGOs, Post-Conflict, Peace-building, North-eastern Nigeria.