Frank Ikponwosa

This study examines the effect of Boko Haram terrorism on the Nigerian economy. Boko Haram insurgency, which has persisted primarily in the northeastern region of Nigeria, has resulted in widespread insecurity, loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of economic activities. The insurgency has negatively impacted key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, trade, education, and infrastructure, thereby hindering national development and reducing investor confidence. The study adopts a descriptive survey research design and relies on both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to affected communities, business owners, and local government officials, while secondary data were obtained from journals, reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and publications on national security. Data were analyzed using statistical methods to determine the economic consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency. The findings reveal that Boko Haram terrorism has significantly disrupted economic activities, reduced agricultural production, increased unemployment, discouraged foreign and local investments, and contributed to the diversion of government funds from development projects to security expenditures. The study concludes that terrorism poses a severe threat to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability. It recommends the implementation of stronger security measures, socio-economic development programs in affected regions, and effective counter-insurgency strategies to mitigate the adverse economic effects of terrorism.

This study examines Nigeria’s maritime security challenges with particular focus on piracy and illegal oil bunkering between 2000 and 2015. Nigeria’s maritime domain, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, has experienced increasing security threats due to criminal activities such as sea piracy, oil theft, armed robbery at sea, and illegal bunkering. These activities have posed serious threats to national security, economic development, and international maritime trade. The study investigates the causes, nature, and consequences of these maritime crimes and evaluates the efforts made by the government and relevant security agencies to address them. The research adopts a historical and descriptive research design, relying mainly on secondary sources of data such as books, journal articles, government reports, and publications from relevant maritime organizations. Institutions such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy play significant roles in maintaining maritime security and combating piracy and illegal oil bunkering in Nigerian waters. The findings reveal that factors such as weak maritime surveillance, corruption, poverty in coastal communities, inadequate law enforcement, and the high profitability of oil theft have contributed significantly to the persistence of piracy and illegal bunkering. These activities have led to revenue loss for the government, environmental degradation, insecurity in the maritime sector, and reduced investor confidence. The study concludes that addressing maritime security challenges in Nigeria requires stronger maritime governance, improved surveillance technology, enhanced collaboration among security agencies, and sustainable economic development in coastal communities. It recommends increased investment in maritime security infrastructure, stricter enforcement of maritime laws, and regional cooperation to effectively combat piracy and illegal oil bunkering in Nigerian waters.