SECURITY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA AND THE IMPLICATION FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE)

This study examined the security challenges in Nigeria and their implications for business activities and sustainable development in Maiduguri, Borno State. The objectives were to assess the sources of insecurity in Nigeria, examine the insecurity environment of business, and evaluate its implications for sustainable development. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with a purposive sample of 168 respondents drawn from households, security agents, and small-scale businesses. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, and analysed using frequency tables, percentages, and SPSS version 26. Findings revealed that insecurity in Maiduguri is largely driven by youth bulge, poverty, unemployment, religious extremism, corruption, and the smuggling of arms and ammunition. The results further showed that insecurity has crippled agricultural production, disrupted household food security, collapsed small businesses, undermined education, overstretched health and sanitation services, and forced many investors to withdraw. The study concluded that insecurity has severely hindered business confidence and sustainable development in Maiduguri, and recommends the urgent implementation of policies addressing poverty, unemployment, and governance deficits, alongside strengthening security measures and restoring socio-economic stability in the city.