POST-INSURGENCY LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES AMONG WOMEN IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF BORNO STATE,JERE,KONDUGA,BAMA,MMC OF NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study examined post-insurgency livelihood activities among women in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three objectives: to identify the types of livelihood activities women engage in after the insurgency, to assess their level of participation in post-insurgency livelihood programs, and to evaluate the effectiveness of government and NGO interventions in supporting their livelihoods. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 5,000 women across Jere, Konduga, Bama, and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) LGAs. A sample size of 357 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, and respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 129 women and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential techniques (Chi-square, Regression, and T-test). Findings revealed that women have experienced significant livelihood shifts, often adopting multiple small-scale activities that require new skills but remain largely unprofitable and inadequate for meeting basic needs. While awareness of livelihood support programs was high, actual participation was moderate due to factors such as displacement, low education, and limited access to resources. Interventions were rated as moderately effective, although lack of follow-up support emerged as a major weakness. NGO interventions were found to be significantly more effective than those of government agencies, and lack of capital was identified as the most pressing challenge. The study concluded that despite notable resilience, women’s post-insurgency livelihood recovery remains largely unsustainable. It recommends the redesign of livelihood programs to incorporate long-term follow-up mechanisms, targeted support for the most vulnerable groups, and the establishment of a dedicated revolving loan scheme. This study contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical, LGA-specific evidence on livelihood sustainability and comparative intervention effectiveness, drawing on the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, Feminist Political Economy, and Social Capital Theory. Keywords: Post-insurgency, Livelihood, Women, Borno State, Interventions, NGOs, Government, Sustainability.