Abstract

This research paper discusses how social conflict affects supply chain management in Nigeria with a certain focus on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as one of the key nodes in the logistics network of the country. Although Nigerian ports have become very important in promoting international trade, their effectiveness is often compromised by the social conflicts that frequently exist between the labour unions, host communities, and regulatory institutions. Using a recent literature (2020-2024), the study follows a qualitative analytical approach to examine the nature, drivers, and consequences of these conflicts on the performance of supply chains. The results indicate that social conflicts have a major negative impact on the logistics activities, add to the operational expenses, and undermine the cooperation of the supply chain players. The causes of the delays and congestion of cargo and the decrease in reliability of the port services are labour strikes, community agitations, and institutional inefficiencies which contribute to the delays and congestion of cargo and the decrease in reliability of the port services. In addition, the research points out that bad governance, insufficient corporate social responsibility, and technological non-integration contribute to the challenges. In the paper, a conceptual model that illustrates the relationship between social conflict and supply chain outcomes is proposed, with the moderating factors being the role of governance, stakeholder engagement, and digital innovation. It concludes that social conflict should be addressed to enhance supply chain resilience, enhance trade competitiveness and sustainable economic development in Nigeria