Africa, it is generally known has witnessed several civil wars and conflicts in the last two decades as a result of identity conflicts. Although this is generally recognized, it remains unclear what role the media play in lessening or increasing the incidence and intensity of these conflicts. My research seeks to answer these questions with respect to religious conflict in Nigeria between 1999 and 2013. The methodology to be employed includes; content analysis of newspapers based in different geographical regions, discourse analysis which will reveal the tone and tenor of reportage as well as interviews of editorial panels. I intend to examine newspaper coverage of four major religious conflicts that occurred in Nigeria in these years with a view to determining whether and to what extent the media played conflict escalating roles through their reportage and commentaries.