Ogidi, Ambrose Woyengiemi2023-12-142023-12-142013-06-14Ogidi, A.W. (2013) THE ROLE OF ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH IN RESOLVING COMMUNAL BOUNDARY DISPUTES IN NIGERIAhttps://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/7209Nigeria since pre-colonial period has experienced multiplicities of conflict, especially as it relate to land and territorial boundaries. The effect of this phenomenon has often led to destruction of lives and properties and in some extreme cases displacement of whole communities from their aboriginal homesteads. This paper attempts to examine some of the major causes of boundary disputes in Nigeria. It equally examines ethnography as a method of research in the field of anthropology and other social science disciplines. It further examines the role ethnographic research plays in resolving recurrent communal boundary disputes within Nigeria and her neighbours, especially around the Bakassi peninsula territory in Cameroon. Significant of these roles include; the effort to reeducate and re-orientatecommunities that live around border areas to appreciate the fact that boundary demarcation is a mere administrative exercise or convenience which only facilitate governance from one point to another. Also, ethnographic research helps to promote feeling of brotherhood, fair play and justice among many border communities within and outside Nigeria among other roles. The paper concludes by stressing that, in order to overcome some of the problems associated with boundary disputes in Nigeria, there is need to tackle it from down-top approach, where the well being, aspirations and feelings of members of border communities are given special consideration. This is because it will have direct bearing on their mythologies, cosmologies, values, beliefs and customs.enColonialism, Boundary, Disputes,Ethnic Group, Ethnographic ResearchArticle