Abstract

The paper examines the environmental induced migration of ethnic groups to the present Central Nigeria area and the attendant stresses and strains in the relationship between the later migrants and the first groups that have occupied the area. The constant changes in the Nigeria environment had adverse effect on the population whose sources of livelihood were tied to the land resources. The objective of the paper is to study the nexus between human population, struggle for resources and insecurity in Central Nigeria area. Built on historical method and relying on primary and secondary sources, the paper argues that the changes in the environment resulted in the migration of some ethnic groups into other parts of Nigeria area. The migration of groups to the Central Nigeria area often triggered violent conflicts. The paper further reveals that the issue of ‘indigene’ and ‘settler’ started when competition for rights and privileges rose between the hosts and the migrants and the crises that followed were given religious coloration and it pause serious challenge to the security of the nation. The paper concludes that the ethnic groups should work together and find ways that will facilitate their mutual survival because fighting like primitive caveman, slaughtering one another over spurious claims for piece of territory amount to taking a short cut to their demise.

Keywords: Migration, Environment, National Unity, Demography, Ethnic group