The Utilization of Development Communication Strategies in Conflict Resolution with Emphasis on Uvwie Local Government Area Delta State

Abstract

This study examined the utilization of development communication strategies in conflict resolution, with particular emphasis on Uvwie Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, Nigeria. The research was guided by five objectives and corresponding research questions designed to identify the strategies employed, determine their level of utilization, assess their effectiveness, and examine both influencing factors and implementation challenges. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 400 respondents selected through purposive and stratified sampling techniques across ten communities within Uvwie LGA. The research instrument used was a 22-item structured questionnaire validated with a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.84. Descriptive statistics, including mean and percentage analyses, were used to interpret the data. Findings revealed that development communication strategies such as print, broadcast, and social media are widely employed in promoting peace and resolving conflicts, with mean scores of 4.29, 3.79, and 4.32 respectively, surpassing the decision benchmark of 3.05. However, oral and press-based communication channels recorded low utilization (mean scores of 2.35 and 2.30). The study further established that exposure to development communication messages was moderate (grand mean = 3.49), while their effectiveness in conflict resolution was rated high (mean = 4.44). Major factors influencing utilization included the need to resolve conflicts and influence people’s behavior (means = 3.59 and 3.94), whereas key challenges identified were high illiteracy levels (mean = 4.12), poor power supply (mean = 3.11), and inadequate financing (mean = 4.22). The study concludes that although development communication strategies play a vital role in promoting peace and resolving crises in Uvwie LGA, their application remains below optimal levels. It recommends enhanced governmental and institutional support—particularly in funding, literacy improvement, and infrastructural development to strengthen the efficiency and sustainability of communication-based peacebuilding initiatives.