THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA

Nigerian controversial militant group, Boko Haram, has at best been fundamentally opposed to Western education as it regards it sinful and against Islamic principles. This group advocates for the establishment of Sharia law throughout northern Nigeria and, by extension, all over the country Although its hierarchical structure remains largely undefined, the official name of the group’s Jama ‘at Ahl as-Sunnah li-Da'wat al-Jihad, which translates into English as "People Committed so the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad." This name captures the group's core objective: propagation of Islamic teachings and pursuit of a jihad to Islamize northern Nigeria and, eventually, conquer the entire nation. Boko Haram emerged for the first time in 2004 in Yobe State. but it came into the spotlight in 2011 after bombing the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja. In the last few years, the militant group has carried out many attacks, blowing up buildings and causing massive slaughter. Even with the devastation, the Nigerian government has been unable to rein in activities of the Boko Haram Jihadist group. The present research sets to conduct philosophical and legal analysis of the activities of Boko Haram and implications for national integration in Nigeria. Specifically, the group's socio-economic impact on the economic development of Nigeria and what evidence exists on the root causes of the insurgency are revealed. The paper will also suggest some potential solutions to curtail the activities of this group and reduce its impact on the nation.