A PRAGMATIC STUDY OF THE ROLE OF SILENCE IN PEACE-BUILDING AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR MODERN PEACE PROCESSES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Publication Details

Publication Date

15/09/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 4 (2026)

Article No.

094

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-HTT79BKE

Received

31 Aug 2026

Views

13

Downloads

3

Abstract

This study examined the role of silence as a communicative strategy in peace-building and conflict management, with specific implications for modern peace processes in Tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Conflict is an inevitable feature of human interaction, particularly in work places like the university environment which is characterized by tribal, ethnic, religious, age, social status and political differences. Existing studies reveal that most universities embrace conventional approaches to conflict management and often prioritize verbal communication such as dialogue, mediation and negotiation. Silence, as a non-verbal communicative strategy, is often misconstrued as absence of communication and has remained underexplored. Three institutions were randomly selected for the study. They include, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Imo State University, Owerri and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, oral interview, participant observation and discourse analysis of conflict-related interactions. 120 participants form the sample for the study, 30 lecturers and 90 students. 10 lecturers and 30 students were purposely selected from each university. The purposive sampling was employed based on the participants experience in campus conflict situations. Drawing on Austin (1962) and Searles (1969) Speech Acts Theory, Levinson's theory of Politeness and Critical Theory of Silence by Charles Scott and Kenan Ferguson (2022), the study explored silence as a pragmatic tool that shapes meaning, intention and interpretation in conflict situations. Data were analyzed using the pragmatic approach. Findings reveal that silence is a strategic tool for conflict de-escalation, respect negotiation, emotional regulation, conflict avoidance and power dynamics. Furthermore, it prevents the use of provocative language which is a conflict trigger. It signals respect, helps individuals to manage emotions and to avoid impulsive reactions. Recommendations include the recognition of silence as a communicative strategy in peace-building, mediation and negotiation in work places. It should also be included in the curriculum as one of the peace-building and conflict management processes in modern day peace studies in Nigerian universities.

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This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.