conflict; the causes of the conflict and its attendant socioeconomic impact on the nation’s

development. It then proceed to critically evaluate the response of the Nigerian State to the

lingering farmers/herders’ conflict in the country. Anchored on John Rawls’ theory of social

justice, the study which relies on secondary data sources posits that the evasive and lethargic

nature of the State’s response characterized by inaction smacks of a grand ploy to downplay

equity, fairness and justice in the determination of policy to stem this ugly trend that threatens

to disrupt the social fabric of the Nigerian State. As a panacea to this social miasma, the

Nigerian state is called upon to enthrone social justice in the policy arena to promote harmonious

and peaceful co-existence among the diverse nationalities in order to deepen unity in diversity.