The Challenges of Social Justice and Ethnic Crises in Nigerian Society in the Light of Amartya Sen's Theory of Justice

Abstract

The question of peaceful coexistence between Nigeria's various ethnic groups has been debated since the country's inception. Nigeria has experienced a number of political, economic, and ethnic crises that have caused ethnic divisions and disparities among its citizens, which have fueled rivalries because of the unequal distribution of the country's resources, which is the result of elite group manipulation of power. The article takes an analytical approach and applies the critical analysis tool to analyze political instability and ethnic crises in modern-day Nigeria. Viewed in the context of the numerous instances of injustice and unjust treatment experienced by the marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable ethnic groups in Nigerian society by the governing class, the ethnic crises become more compelling. The results showed that one of the problems affecting Nigeria's stability as a country is ethnic conflicts. This research is founded on this idea. Following Amartya Sen's concept of justice will put an end to ethnic tensions. Through the realization process, human reason is able to distinguish between justice and injustice through Amartya Sen's Niti and Nyaya. The article came to the result that economic loss and rivalry between different ethnic groups have resulted from ethnic crises. Amarya Sen's Niti and Nyaya may be used by modern Nigeria to stop ethnic tensions, and public reasoning can abolish injustice among the country's many ethnic groups.

Keywords: Ethnic crises, injustice, ethnic, Amartya Sen.