Political and ethno-religious tensions in Nigeria pose significant challenges to national security and stability, rooted in colonial-era policies that institutionalized ethnic and religious divisions. These historical grievances compounded by contemporary socio-political dynamics, manifest in electoral violence, insurgencies like Boko Haram, farmer-herder clashes, and secessionist movements such as IPOB. The study investigates these tensions by exploring their historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and impact on national security, employing Marxist, and Functionalist theories to provide a robust theoretical framework. Using a qualitative research design, data were gathered from archival records, governmental and non-governmental reports, and case studies, including the Kano Riots of 1953, the Maitatsine Riots of 1980, and the Boko Haram insurgency and the likes. Findings reveal that these tensions are exacerbated by governance failures, socio-economic inequalities, and the manipulation of identity politics, with severe implications for national security, such as displacement, economic disruption, and weakened state legitimacy. While interventions like the Niger Delta Amnesty Program and anti-open grazing laws have yielded partial success, their limited scope underscores the need for comprehensive reforms. The study concludes that addressing these tensions requires historical reconciliation, inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and sustainable conflict-resolution mechanisms. Thus the study recommends establishing a national reconciliation commission, decentralizing governance, promoting interfaith dialogue, and enhancing security frameworks through community policing and stakeholder engagement. These measures aim to address the root causes of tensions and foster long-term stability and peace. By integrating historical, political, and socio-economic dimensions, the study provides a roadmap for mitigating political and ethno-religious tensions in Nigeria.

Political tensions, Ethno-religious conflict, National security

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