The Impact of Poverty on Conflict Proneness in Sokoto State Communities

This study investigates the relationship between poverty and conflict proneness in communities across Sokoto State, North West Nigeria. Sokoto State consistently ranks among Nigeria's lowest on human development indicators, and the connection between socioeconomic deprivation and vulnerability to communal violence, banditry, and political unrest is a subject of significant policy relevance. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 190 community members in Sokoto North, Tambuwal, and Goronyo local government areas through structured questionnaires, supplemented by focus group discussions with women's cooperative members and youth associations. The theoretical framework is anchored in relative deprivation theory and the conflict trap model. Findings indicate that households in extreme poverty are significantly more likely to participate in or be victimised by conflict events, and that communities with higher poverty rates demonstrate weaker social cohesion and reduced institutional trust. The study also identifies inadequate access to basic services, including education, clean water, and healthcare, as mediating factors in the poverty-conflict nexus. Recommendations include integrating conflict-sensitive programming into the Sokoto State poverty alleviation framework, establishing community peace dividends linked to economic development milestones, and targeting conflict prevention resources to the most economically deprived local government areas. Keywords: poverty, conflict proneness, Sokoto State, relative deprivation, community violence.