Social Capital and Conflict Resilience in Communities of Edo State

This study examines the relationship between social capital dimensions and conflict resilience in communities in Edo State, South South Nigeria. Social capital, encompassing trust, norms of reciprocity, and social networks, is theorised as a buffer against conflict escalation and a resource for community-led peacebuilding; however, empirical evidence on its specific role in Nigerian conflict-affected communities is limited. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 320 community members across Benin City, Etsako West, and Owan East local government areas using validated social capital and conflict resilience measurement scales. Structural equation modelling was employed to test relationships among bonding, bridging, and linking social capital dimensions and conflict resilience outcomes. The theoretical framework draws from Putnam's social capital theory and community resilience frameworks. Findings indicate that bridging social capital, particularly inter-ethnic and inter-religious social networks, is the strongest predictor of conflict resilience in Edo communities, while bonding social capital within homogeneous groups can paradoxically increase inter-group conflict susceptibility when combined with low bridging ties. Communities with active participation in mixed-ethnicity cooperatives and interfaith associations demonstrate significantly higher conflict resilience scores. Recommendations include funding state government programs that build bridging social capital across ethnic and religious lines in Edo, integrating social capital development into conflict prevention programming, and identifying and supporting natural bridging network hubs within communities. Keywords: social capital, conflict resilience, Edo State, community peacebuilding, empirical study.