Security Challenges and Economic Development in Nigeria: The Case of Bokoharam

ABSTRACT

According to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, “the security and welfare of the people must be the foremost role of government.” This provision dates back to 1999. Presently, the state of insecurity in Nigeria has served as a backdrop to Nigeria’s national development. Presently, Nigeria is faced with developmental obstacles like high level of unemployment, rural and urban poverty, and low physical and social infrastructure and pervasive insecurity. It is based on the above that this study sought to examine security challenges and economic development using the activities of Boko Haram as a case study.  This was achieved using four research questions; what are the effects of insecurity on Nigeria’s economic and national development, the role of government in curbing insecurity in Nigeria, and possible measures to be adopted in curbing the menace of insecurity to engender development.  The study adopted a qualitative approach of data analysis, relying on data collected through documentary materials like books, journals, Newspaper, Magazines, conference papers, and the internet and the aggression-frustration theory served as the framework for explanation. The study argued that the various insurgent activities of the Boko Haram group have negatively affected the economy of the country, and this has deepened the underdevelopment in Nigeria, the study also argued that so  long  as  we  continue  to  treat  the  issue  of  national security  separately  from  the  issue  of  economic  development  in  which  challenges  of  poverty, inequality,  unemployment,  social  exclusion  are  not  tackled proactively,  the  problem  of  insecurity will  continue  to plague  the  country.  The study posited that since the current counterinsurgency has not put an end to Boko Haram insurgency, Nigeria should move beyond the blunt use of lethal force by improving intelligence-gathering. This would improve counter-insurgency in Nigeria and help build healthier civil-military relations. Similarly, a need for Nigeria to identify and collaborate with neighboring countries, especially countries that share borders with her was raised, as the formation of strategic security networks of intelligence will help to check illegality across borders and help fight insurgency.