This study examines stakeholders’ engagement and the management of farmer-herders conflicts in selected communities
in Benue State. The primary objectives are to identify key stakeholders involved in the conflicts, evaluate the level of their
engagement in conflict management processes, assess the effectiveness of current stakeholder strategies, and analyze
the challenges faced in stakeholder engagement. The study adopts the Stakeholder Theory, emphasizing the importance
of inclusive participation for conflict resolution. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative
interviews with 350 community leaders, security agencies, and local government officials, alongside qualitative surveys of
10 key selected stakeholders to gather comprehensive data. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, including
frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, with a mean cutoff point of 2.50 guiding decision-making.
Findings reveal that key stakeholders include farmers, herders, traditional rulers, security agencies, and government
officials. Engagement levels vary, with some stakeholders actively involved, while others exhibit limited participation due
to mistrust, resource constraints, and socio-political tensions. The strategies currently in place have had mixed success,
often hampered by inadequate coordination and socio-cultural barriers. Major challenges identified include poor
communication, lack of trust, political interference, and resource limitations. The study concludes that effective stakeholder
engagement is vital for sustainable conflict resolution, and recommends fostering inclusive dialogue platforms, capacity
building for stakeholders, enhanced communication channels, and policies that promote trust and cooperation.

Keywords: Stakeholders’ engagement, farmer-herders conflicts, Stakeholder Theory, Benue State.