Boko Haram Insurgency and the Crises of Economic Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency has caused severe and multifaceted damage to development in Nigeria, especially in the North-East region. Their actions continue to pose a significant and evolving threat to Nigeria’s economic stability, affecting not only through direct violence but also by weakening governance, disrupting social and economic progress, and triggering humanitarian crises. These challenges stem from a mix of internal issues, including socio-economic frustrations and government shortcomings. Understanding economic development in the context of Boko Haram involves recognizing the destructive impact terrorism has on a country's economy, along with the considerable difficulties in addressing these effects and rebuilding for a better future. This study investigates the Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria and their consequences for economic development, using the security-development theory as its analytical framework. This theory is valuable because it explains a vicious cycle where insecurity leads to underdevelopment, which then worsens insecurity. The study’s findings reveal that Boko Haram insurgency has caused extensive human suffering, disrupted economic activities, destroyed crucial social services such as education and healthcare, and damaged critical infrastructure, severely hindering Nigeria’s development, particularly in the North-East. The study recommends that tackling the Boko Haram threat and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria requires shifting from a strictly security-focused approach to a broader human security framework that emphasizes peace, justice, and fair development.