Journal of
African Studies and Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Afr. Stud. Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2189
  • DOI: 10.5897/JASD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 240

Article in Press

Insecurity, conflict and socioeconomic development in Nigeria

Agri Godwin Eneji and Eneji Mathias Agri

  •  Received: 24 June 2020
  •  Accepted: 24 August 2020
Despite the Buhari government had previously promised to defeat Boko Haram, insecurity and conflict seems to have persisted in Nigeria and they are unprecedented common enemies in the world. Insecurity and conflict are serious problems in Nigeria and West Africa that require urgent attention in research. The dynamism of crime and its sophistication has overwhelmed the government; the general conditions of living in Nigeria are truly a nightmare with respect to conflict and insecurity. The major objective of this study is to investigate and expose the root causes, socioeconomic impacts of insecurity in Nigeria. This study uses the survey method of research to gather information from key informants. Structured questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion were adopted. The questionnaires were sorted, classified and interpreted using the linkert scale, simple percentages, statistical tables and charts. Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented spate of insecurity occasioned by terrorism, kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism, corruption, injustice, poverty, inflation and bad governance. Insecurity and conflict have had serious socioeconomic consequences for Nigeria. The consequence of insecurity is insecurity and crime. This study recommends inclusive growth and participatory development for the pro-poor. There should be policies and programs to integrate the rural areas and the disadvantaged segments of the population into the mainstream of development. People need to organize themselves at various levels and platforms to educate, expose and speak out against insecurity; township unions, business associations, faith-based organizations, political parties, professional groups, youth groups, village meetings, age groups, women groups, persons living with disability, persons living with albinism, farmers’ group, traders’ association, students’ union etc. This is because security is everybody’s business and insecurity affects all of us.

Keywords: Insecurity, Socioeconomic Development, Boko-Haram, Kidnapping, Bad Governance