Separatist Agitation, Infrastructure Development and Business Operations in Nigeria’s Southeast Zone

An Analysis in Crisis of Development

Abstract

This paper examined the interface between separatist agitation in the Southeast and infrastructure development as well as business operations in the zone. Separatist agitation in the Southeast has remained at the front burner, leading to the creation of Eastern Security Network – ESN, increased presence of the military in the zone, as well as violence and tension which culminated in a forced Monday sit-at-home since 2021. Looking at these issues, the paper interrogates how the Southeast’s separatist agitation has impacted infrastructure development and business operations in the Southeast zone. Using the qualitative research design, the paper relied on data generated from Key Informant Interview – KII and Focused Group Discussion – FGD, as well as data from various reliable secondary sources, to arrive at the conclusions of the paper. The Structural Functional Theory was used as the paper’s framework of analysis. Findings show that the latest separatist agitation is remarkably detrimental on the Southeast’s infrastructure development, as well as business operations. The Monday sit-at-home has caused significant losses across the zone. Also, the security concerns and tension arising from the separatist agitation were found to be significantly consequential on the infrastructure development and business operation in the Southeast. The paper recommended that the governors of the Southeast should jointly address the insecurity and tensions arising from the agitation. That the zone must, device a means of strategic communication to address these issues, among others.