Boko Haram Insurgency and the Underdevelopment of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the Boko Haram insurgency and its impact on the development of Nigeria as a nation. The paper x-rays the Boko Haram insurgency, its historical origin, and attacks since inception and the effects of such attacks in Nigeria. To achieve the essence of this paper the researcher employed primary and secondary sources of data collection to generate the required data mainly from books, journals, articles, internet materials and video tapes (YouTube and interviews) which were enhanced through the interdisciplinary approach. The study adopts a qualitative approach to data analysis to assess the impact of Boko Haram insurgency on the development of Nigeria. From the study it was discovered that the Boko Haram insurgency has compounded the developmental challenges of Nigeria through destruction of lives and properties, destruction of schools which have led to the closure of so many schools in the North-east geopolitical zone, disruption of businesses, reduction in government revenue, fear of foreign investors to live and do business in Nigeria, political instability, among others. Consequently, the study recommends that government should intensify its counter terrorism fight against the insurgents, upgrade the equipment of the military and other security agencies to effectively and decisively defeat the insurgency, embark on an aggressive enlightenment and re-orientation campaign to mobilize the citizenry in support of the armed forces campaign against the terrorists, collaborate with the international community in the fight against Boko Haram, pragmatically create new employment opportunities for jobless youths, impose stiffer penalties on terrorists, and concertedly work towards the eradication of poverty and corruption in Nigeria.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Development, Insurgency, Terrorism, Underdevelopment.