Research Project

Sociocultural Implications of Post Boko-Haram Insurgency on Reintegration Efforts in Borno State

The menace of insurgency in the northeastern Nigeria, specifically Borno State, has resulted in widespread displacement, death and destruction of properties. Those displaced are now taking shelter in relatively safe refugee camps across the state. As of 2016, there were over 2,152,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria based on the estimates by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) team in 13 states of Northern Nigeria. Those displaced by Boko Haram insurgency alone, constitute 85% of the total, while 12.6% due to communal clashes and 2.4% due to natural disasters (IDMC, 2016).

In Borno State, the total of IDPs across all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) stands at 1,867,726. Maiduguri Metropolitan Council alone constitutes the larger proportion with 614,664 IDPs, followed by Jere Local Government with 383,998 which has many of its communities within Maiduguri metropolis. Borno State has 32 IDP camps in total and 16 of them are in Maiduguri, while the remaining 16 are in the other LGAs regarded as satellite camps.

This displacement has caused a lot of damage to the lifestyles and standards of IDPs economically, socially, culturally, politically and morally. This is through the destruction of business activities, farmlands, institutions of learning, peaceful coexistence, traditional values, etc. More so, as a result of the migration, the IDPs have learnt new culture and traditions of the new environment especially those opportune to be at the metropolitan council (Maiduguri) who are now blending with city lifestyles.

Against this background, the study intends to assess the effect of insurgency on education, peaceful coexistence and customs and values of IDPs with the aim of realizing the extent at which their traditions have been destroyed, the consequences insurgency has on their peaceful coexistence and the degree to which education is affected. All of these are geared towards ensuring peace as well as attaining cultural sustainability.

The study intends to be mixed in approach, i.e. quantitative and qualitative. Multi-stage sampling technique will be used to stratify the state into three (3) senatorial zones, then purposively select one local government from each zone to be represented by its displaced persons in the camps. Both primary and secondary data will be used. Primary data will be sourced through Key Informant Interviews with community/traditional leaders and religious leaders; Focused Group Discussion and Questionnaire administration to the IDPs. Data will be analyzed in a descriptive, inferential and narrative ways.

At the end of this research, it is expected that it will aid in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals ‘4’ (Quality Education) and Goal ‘16’ (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions). The study will also bridge gaps in literature, scope, methodology and data. It will also assist policy or decision makers, researchers, scholars, students and other interested organisations in designing and implementing policies and projects as well as serve as a good foundation for further researches on IDPs, Insurgency and sociocultural discourse.

Biography

Muhammad Abdullahi, born on 26th July, 1992 hails from Nguru and now lives in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Passionate about academics, Muhammad Abdullahi taught as a classroom teacher at Legacy School Damaturu (2014-2015), at National Service with Department of Public Administration, University of Ilorin (2015-2016) and is now teaching as a Graduate Assistant with the same department in University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He received his B.Sc. in Public Administration (Hons) from Yobe State University, Damaturu and is currently pursuing his Masters in the same field at University of Maiduguri and as SDG-Graduate School student. In addition, he has a Diploma in Information Technology Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Customer Relationship Management. Equally, he is certified in Management Proficiency, Health, Safety and Environmental Development and Hazard Identification. His special interest areas are Public Policy, Conflict Management and Development Studies. Accordingly, he has published in these areas in both national and international journals; and has attended several workshops, seminars and conferences on governance, entrepreneurship, leadership and development issues. Muhammad Abdullahi is a Professional/Chartered Member of Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Nigeria (IPMA), Chartered Institute of Customer Relationship Management (CICRM) and Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Professional practices and community development activities he features include community outreach and sensitization campaigns, consultancy services to university clubs and associations, advocacy for mass literacy, safety and environmental auditing. He seeks pleasure in traveling, soccer, making friends, adventurous exploration and snapping pictures.