MILLER EMEKA OFUNNE

This project, "The Impact of Christian Association in Conflict Resolution in Nigeria 2006-2011," examines the role, potential, and limitations of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as a major non-state actor in fostering peace and managing conflict within the Nigerian state during a critical period of heightened ethno-religious tension. Nigeria is characterized by complex, often violent, conflicts stemming from political, economic, and social instability intertwined with religious, ethnic, and resource-based differences. This study investigates CAN's organizational structure, its foundation (rooted in the ecumenical imperative "That they all may be one"), and its objectives to promote national understanding, peace, and moral welfare. The core of the research lies in analyzing the tangible mechanisms CAN deploys for conflict resolution and peacebuilding, such as dialogue, seminars, workshops, and evangelism of peace, emphasizing the use of religious values to mediate disputes. While acknowledging that historical scholarship has often focused on the politicization of CAN, this work argues for the significance of CAN's social and economic roles in addressing societal ills—the bedrock for sustainable peace. The study adopts a historical methodology, utilizing both primary and secondary sources, to critically assess CAN's impact and evaluate the challenges it faces, including issues of internal unity, external opposition, and historical record-keeping deficiencies, in its sustained effort to be a credible and effective peacebuilding organization in the Nigerian polity.