Impact of Recommendations of Commissions of Inquiry on Inter Communal Conflicts in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Commissions of Inquiry are regularly established to probe inter-communal conflicts, the continued occurrence of violent conflicts indicates challenges in translating their recommendations into actionable policies. This study investigates the impact of Commissions of Inquiry recommendations on shaping policy approaches to inter-communal conflicts in Kwara State, Nigeria. Guided by Policy Implementation Theory and Institutional Theory, the paper explores the impact of recommendations of commissions of inquiry on government policy, the extent of their implementation, and the institutional factors that hinder the effectiveness of public policy on inter-communal conflicts in Kwara State. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study collected quantitative data through survey research methods and in-depth interviews. Specifically, structured questionnaires and an in-depth interview were used to elicit data from 393 respondents and 10 informants selected from Erin-Ile/ Offa and Share/ Tsaragi communities respectively. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights were examined thematically. The results indicate that, although commissions can temporarily reduce tensions, their enduring impact is constrained by weak political commitment, insufficient funding, delayed execution, institutional inefficiencies, and low public confidence. The study concludes that enhancing institutional autonomy, ensuring the prompt implementation of white-paper recommendations, and integrating commissions’ findings into enforceable policy frameworks are critical for improving the effectiveness of commissions of inquiry in managing communal conflicts