Home / Current Issue / Paper 1724413
Public Administration, Security, Peace and Policy: Leveraging On Conflict Resolution and Management in Bekwarra Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria
Subject area: Management and Commerce · Area of research: Administration
Abstract
This study examined public administration, security, peace and policy, with particular emphasis on conflict resolution and management in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three objectives, which were to examine the relationship between public administration and conflict resolution, determine the influence of security mechanisms on peace management, and assess the contribution of public policies to sustainable conflict management in the study area. Three research questions guided the investigation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised community members, traditional leaders, security personnel, public administrators and other relevant stakeholders in Bekwarra Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, while descriptive survey/statistics and chi-square (χ2) were employed to analyse the data at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that effective public administration was significantly associated with improved conflict-resolution practices. The results also showed that responsive security mechanisms, community participation and collaboration among traditional institutions and formal security agencies contributed significantly to peace management. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant association between effective public policies and sustainable conflict-management outcomes. The findings were discussed in relation to the importance of accountable governance, preventive security interventions, community engagement and policy responsiveness in addressing local conflicts. The study recommends that, government should strengthen inclusive local governance and conflict-resolution institutions; enhance collaboration and information-sharing among security agencies, traditional authorities and community organisations; and formulate and implement context-specific peace and security policies that address underlying socioeconomic grievances and promote community resilience.
Keywords
public administration; conflict resolution; conflict management; peace and security; public policy
References
[1] Adie MO (2026, May 26). Customary authority and indigenous mechanisms of crime control in Ijibor community of Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. BW Academic Journal. https://www.bwjournal.org/index.php/bsjournal/article/view/4032
[2] Ajor JO (2018). The changing pattern of land ownership in Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria (1908–2015). Journal of Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa, 4(1), 101–108.
[3] Bessong CD, Bessong NO, Odije EP (2024). Conflict management strategies in the resolution of communal clashes in Cross River Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. Journal of Continuing and Development Education, 4(1), 93–103. https://journalcde.com/index.php/jcde/article/view/114
[4] Emeka JO, Egidi SA (2018). Communal conflicts: Implications for the development of Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The Researcher’s Journal, 1(4), 44–54. https://researchersjournal.org/communal-conflicts-implications-for-the-development-of-bekwarra-local-government-area-of-cross-river-state-nigerian/
[5] European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) (2026, January). Nigeria: Security situation (Section 2.5.3, Cross River). https://dip-aws.euaa.europa.eu/nigeria-security-situation/253-cross-river
[6] Fatai AG, Olufemi LM, Olubunmi LBF, Oluwakemi AT (2024). Government institutions and persistent communal conflicts in Nigeria. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 41(3), 281–297. https://doi.org/10.1002/crq.21406
[7] Okoli OT, Ogo EN, Hashimu S (2024a). Traditional leaders and conflict management: A study of Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution, 3(1), 279–294. https://www.nijpcr.nou.edu.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/COMPLETE-NIJPCR-VOL-3-NO-1-FULL-PDF.pdf
[8] Okoli OT, Oyebode MO, Asala TB (2024b). Empowering traditional leaders for sustainable peace-building in Bekwarra LGA of Cross River State, Nigeria. Kashere Journal of Politics and International Relations, 2(1), 204–212. https://journals.fukashere.edu.ng/index.php/kjpir/article/view/235
[9] Roethlisberger FJ, Dickson WJ (1939). Management and the worker: An account of a research program conducted by the Western Electric Company, Hawthorne Works, Chicago. Harvard University Press.
[10] Sherif M (1966). In common predicament: Social psychology of intergroup conflict and cooperation. Houghton Mifflin.
[11] Tajfel H, Turner JC (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In: Austin WG, Worchel S (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33–47). Brooks/Cole.
[12] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2016). Local governance in fragile and conflict-affected settings. https://www.undp.org/publications/local-governance-fragile-and-conflict-affected-settings
[13] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2021). Is good governance a necessary precursor to peace? https://www.undp.org/arab-states/blog/good-governance-necessary-precursor-peace
[14] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2022). The renewed governance and peacebuilding framework for Africa 2022–2025. https://www.undp.org/africa/publications/renewed-governance-and-peacebuilding-framework-africa-2022-2025
[15] Ushie EM, Igbaji PM, Agba AMO (2015). Conflicts management in the administration of local government councils in Cross River State, Nigeria. Academic Research International, 6(2), 428–436.
How to cite this paper
@article{1724413,
author = {Dr. Amos William Obeten, Okim Effa, Janet Igaba},
title = {Public Administration, Security, Peace and Policy: Leveraging On Conflict Resolution and Management in Bekwarra Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {4004-4029},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1724413.pdf},
abstract = {This study examined public administration, security, peace and policy, with particular emphasis on conflict resolution and management in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three objectives, which were to examine the relationship between public administration and conflict resolution, determine the influence of security mechanisms on peace management, and assess the contribution of public policies to sustainable conflict management in the study area. Three research questions guided the investigation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised community members, traditional leaders, security personnel, public administrators and other relevant stakeholders in Bekwarra Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, while descriptive survey/statistics and chi-square (χ2) were employed to analyse the data at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that effective public administration was significantly associated with improved conflict-resolution practices. The results also showed that responsive security mechanisms, community participation and collaboration among traditional institutions and formal security agencies contributed significantly to peace management. Furthermore, the study revealed a significant association between effective public policies and sustainable conflict-management outcomes. The findings were discussed in relation to the importance of accountable governance, preventive security interventions, community engagement and policy responsiveness in addressing local conflicts. The study recommends that, government should strengthen inclusive local governance and conflict-resolution institutions; enhance collaboration and information-sharing among security agencies, traditional authorities and community organisations; and formulate and implement context-specific peace and security policies that address underlying socioeconomic grievances and promote community resilience.},
keywords = {public administration; conflict resolution; conflict management; peace and security; public policy},
month = {October},
}