Nigerian Journal of Rural Sociology Vol. 16, No. 3, 2016 RELEVANCE OF INDIGENOUS INSTITUTIONS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND SUSTAINABLE LAND USE MANAGEMENT AMONG SETTLED FULANI AGRO-PASTORAL COMMUNITIES OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA David, O. A. Department of General Studies, School of Communication & Information Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Ojeere, Abeokuta, Ogun state Correspondent contact details:
[email protected] ABSTRACT There is a need to bring to fore the contribution of indigenous institutions in promoting peace building, fostering co-operation and collaboration among settled Fulani Agro-pastoralists in communities of Ogun State, Nigeria. The leadership institutions in pastoral communities were found to be involved in the process of investigating and resolving conflict as well as making authoritative decisions in respect of land access and sustainable use of natural resources management. Sustainable access to land resources and use for cattle and crop production in pastoral communities is dependent on the prevalence of strong local institutions for collective action (co- operation and collaboration). Purposive sampling technique was used to select 435 respondents. Data were collected using semi-structured Interview Guide. Fulani respondents maintained that some of the challenges facing them were loose collaboration/contradiction between statutory and indigenous institutions, intrusion of migratory pastoralists ( Bororo ), illegal entry of new herders, lack of policy support by government to settle conflict between Fulani