1.1 Introduction
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Terrorism is broadly defined as the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives (Schmid, 2018). It is a global phenomenon that has increasingly threatened peace, security, and development in many countries. In Nigeria, terrorism has become one of the most severe challenges undermining national stability and socio-economic growth. The emergence of groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has introduced unprecedented levels of insecurity, particularly in the North-East, with devastating consequences for the country’s social and economic structures (Akinwale, 2019). Nigeria, being Africa’s most populous nation and one of the largest economies in the continent, relies heavily on agriculture, trade, oil production, and foreign investment for development. According to Eme and Ibietan (2019), the recurring attacks on communities, schools, and businesses are eroding confidence in the Nigerian economy and limiting growth opportunities.
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As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
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1.2 Background of the Study
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Terrorism has emerged as one of the greatest threats to peace, stability, and development in contemporary societies. It is not only a security concern but also a developmental challenge that undermines socio-economic progress. According to Schmid (2018), terrorism is the deliberate use of violence and fear to achieve political, religious, or ideological goals, often targeting civilians to maximize psychological and economic disruption. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has experienced a disturbing rise in terrorism in the past two decades, with groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) destabilizing communities and threatening national unity.
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The history of terrorism in Nigeria is deeply tied to socio-political, economic, and religious tensions. Akinwale (2019) reported that the Boko Haram insurgency, which started as a radical religious movement, quickly escalated into full-scale terrorism, marked by bombings, kidnappings, and attacks on schools, markets, and places of worship. These attacks have led to significant loss of lives, displacement of millions, and destruction of critical infrastructure. Eme and Ibietan (2019) asserted that the cost of terrorism in Nigeria goes beyond human casualties, as it weakens investor confidence, disrupts trade, and compels the government to divert scarce resources away from development projects into security operations.
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On the socio-economic front, terrorism has crippled key sectors of the Nigerian economy. Agriculture, which is the backbone of rural livelihoods, has been severely affected as farmers abandon farmlands due to fear of attacks. Okoli and Ugwu (2021) stated that this displacement is reducing food production and creating food insecurity, which in turn contributes to rising poverty and inflation. Similarly, businesses and industries in terrorism-prone regions are shutting down, leading to widespread unemployment and economic stagnation. Ibrahim (2021) affirmed that the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is overwhelming available resources, creating new social challenges and further straining the country’s developmental capacity (Ibrahim, 2021).
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Education and human capital development are also under serious threat. Attacks on schools, most notably the abduction of students, have created an atmosphere of fear that discourages parents from sending their children to school. This situation is undermining Nigeria’s efforts to achieve sustainable development and global education targets. Adesoji (2020) contended that the long-term impact of terrorism on education is detrimental, as it not only reduces literacy levels but also hinders the development of skilled manpower essential for economic transformation.
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Terrorism is further affecting Nigeria’s global image and foreign relations. Countries and investors increasingly perceive Nigeria as unsafe, thereby reducing foreign direct investment and international collaborations. On a political level, terrorism is also challenging the authority of the state, creating governance gaps in regions where insurgent groups exert control. This study is set against the backdrop of these challenges, with a focus on examining the impact of terrorism on Nigeria’s socio-economic development and identifying strategies.
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1.3 Statement of Problems
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Investigation revealed that terrorism is one of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigeria in the 21st century, posing a serious threat to the nation’s socio-economic development. The rising wave of terrorist attacks, particularly in the Northern region, is disrupting economic activities, displacing communities, and destroying infrastructure that is vital for growth. According to Akinola (2019), terrorism is crippling agricultural production in affected areas, thereby reducing food supply and inflating prices across the country (Akinola, 2019). The issue of unemployment is another area gravely affected by terrorism. Businesses and industries are shutting down in conflict-prone areas, while foreign investors are withdrawing due to insecurity.
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As Olaniyan and Asuelime (2020) reported, terrorism is reducing foreign direct investment inflows, which is worsening the already fragile state of Nigeria’s economy. On the other hand, the government is compelled to divert huge resources that should have been channeled into education, healthcare, and infrastructure towards security and counter-terrorism efforts.
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Furthermore, terrorism is fueling displacement, leaving millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are struggling to survive in camps with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Ibrahim (2021) asserted that the psychological trauma of terrorism is affecting productivity, weakening human capital development, and threatening national unity. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the impact of terrorism on socio-economic development in Nigeria.
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1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
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The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which terrorism influences socio-economic development in Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study are:
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\r\n- To assess the impact of terrorism on economic activities such as agriculture, trade, and investment in Nigeria.
\r\n- To examine the effect of terrorism on education and human capital development.
\r\n- To analyze the role of terrorism in exacerbating unemployment and poverty.
\r\n- To evaluate how terrorism affects government resource allocation and infrastructure development.
\r\n- To explore possible strategies for mitigating the socio-economic impact of terrorism in Nigeria.
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1.5 Research Questions
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Based on the stated objectives, the study will address the following research questions:
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\r\n- What is the impact of terrorism on economic activities such as agriculture, trade, and investment in Nigeria?
\r\n- How does terrorism affect education and human capital development in Nigeria?
\r\n- In what ways does terrorism contribute to unemployment and poverty in Nigeria?
\r\n- How does terrorism influence government resource allocation and infrastructure development?
\r\n- What strategies are effective in mitigating the socio-economic impact of terrorism in Nigeria?
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1.6 Significance of the Study
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It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will serve as a resource for researchers and scholars interested in issues of security and development. In addition, this research will also help the public to comprehend the broader consequences of terrorism beyond physical insecurity.
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The study will also contribute to national dialogue on strategies to combat terrorism and rebuild affected communities. Furthermore, it will provide development agencies with evidence that will shape interventions to assist victims and promote economic recovery.
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Lastly, the study will provide clarity on the risks and potential recovery pathways, which will influence global partnerships and investment decisions. The research study will also enrich literature and serve as a useful reference for future research in security, governance, and development.
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1.7 Research Hypotheses
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In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
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\r\n- H01: Terrorism has no significant impact on socio-economic development in Nigeria.
\r\n- H02: Terrorism significantly affects education and human capital development in Nigeria.
\r\n- H03: Terrorism increases unemployment and poverty in Nigeria.
\r\n- H04: Terrorism significantly influences government resource allocation and infrastructure development in Nigeria.
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1.8 Scope of the Study
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The scope of this research is focused on the impact of terrorism on socio-economic development in Nigeria. The study is limited to Borno State due to its position as the epicenter of terrorist activities in Nigeria.
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1.9 Limitations of the Study
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A study of this nature is bound to experience certain problems as such the constraints imposed on the research include:
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\r\n- Time Constraints: A study of this nature needs relatively long time during which information for accurate or at least near accurate inference could be drawn. The period of the study was short, time posed as constraints to the research.
\r\n- Financial Constraints: The research would have extended the survey to other area at the empirical level, but limitation as included cost of transportation to the source of material and the cost of time setting of the already completed work.
\r\n- Lack of Cooperation: Many of the respondents are usually aggressive on issue that border cooperation among the respondents border.
\r\n- Response Bias: The study will involve surveys and interviews with cooperative managers and members. Response bias may occur if respondents provide socially desirable answers or if there is reluctance to disclose negative financial information due to privacy concerns or fear of repercussions.
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1.10 Definition of Terms
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Terrorism:
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Terrorism is defined as the deliberate use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in pursuit of political, religious, or ideological objectives (Schmid, 2018).
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Socio-Economic Development:
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Socio-economic development refers to the process of improving the economic and social well-being of individuals and communities through growth in income, education, health, and infrastructure (Todaro & Smith, 2020).
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Insurgency:
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Insurgency is an organized movement aimed at overthrowing a constituted authority through the use of subversion and armed conflict (Okoli & Ugwu, 2021).
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Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs):
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IDPs are individuals who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict or violence but remain within the borders of their own country (Ibrahim, 2021).
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