The Impact Of Insecurity And Poverty On Sustainable Economic Development In Nigeria
[A STUDY OF KOGI STATE]

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study 

Nigeria has all it takes to be great in terms of human and natural resources and wants to be one of the developed economies of the world and a leading nation in Africa by the year 2020. In order to actualize its dream, it sets the process, for exploitation of resources and the attraction of indigenous and foreign investors. In spite of this laudable goal and arrangement put in place, Nigeria has nothing substantially to show to that effect (Ogege, 2019). At present, most of its citizenry wallow in poverty and do not have access to modern health care delivery system, pipe-borne water, quality education and job opportunity and cannot afford three square meals daily. These unpleasant development indicators have led to it being rated as one of the poorest nations in the world ( Oluwaseun, 2018).

 The poor development status of Nigeria no doubt breeds atmosphere of frustrated expectations and foster widespread indignation on the part of those that are trapped in the vortex circle of abject poverty. The condition of hopelessness is further aggravated by impotent poverty eradication programmes and conspiratorial neglect by the Nigerian state. In the face of this predicament, individuals and groups respond differently depending on situational factor and capacity. These responses are crystallized and find expression in various shades of antisocial behaviours including armed robbery, kidnapping, insurgency among others. In the midst of all these, Nigeria is confronted with daunting security challenges which include armed robbery, ethnic crisis, assassination, militancy, kidnapping and terrorism (Thomas, 2019)

The current and most disturbing in security problem in Nigeria is the terror unleashed by a dreaded militant Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram (Onyemaizu, 2016). The mass media present to the public a multi-varied image of dramatic acts of bombings with impunity and horrific portrayal of people burnt to ashes, maimed and property wantonly destroyed by Boko Haram. Thus, everybody, especially in the hotbed of terrorism, lives in constant fear. At this juncture, one begins to wonder how the people who live in these regions go about their socio-economic activities. This no doubt portends grave implications for the economic sector and by extension development, as all activities will inevitably grind to a halt. Against this backdrop, this study is focused on the impact of insecurity and poverty on sustainable economic development in Nigeria. 

1.2 Statement of the Problem 

There is high level of insecurity in the country, particularly, in the Northern zone where ‘Boko Haram’ has become a threat to  life, properties and business activities. No investor will be willing to invest where his investment is not secured. Many companies and businesses in the country have stopped operation due to “Boko Haram” scourge. The cost of life and material resources lost to insecurity in the country since the past few years is unquantifiable. The frequent occurrence of bomb explosions, orchestrated by the acclaimed religious extremists in the northern part of the country, has assumed a worrisome dimension. An estimated number of about 2,000 lives have been lost to bomb explosion from 2010 till date.

 As a result of insecurity in the country many businesses and companies in their numbers are closing down operations in the north and relocating to other African countries for fear of loss of lives and properties. And the few remaining companies operate on skeletal bases. Insecurity in the country not only affects foreign direct investment and business activities, it also affects business confidence as many companies lost confidence in establishing businesses in some parts of the country and all these has led to poverty, in effects affecting the sustainable economic development of each states and Nigeria at large, hence, this necessitate this research study.

1.3 Objectives of Study 

The main objective of the study is to examine the impact of insecurity and poverty on sustainable economic development in Nigeria. However specific objectives of the study include: 

i. To examine the causes of insecurity and poverty in Nigeria. 

ii. To identify the impact of insecurity on sustainable development in    Kogi State

iii. To determine the effect of poverty on the sustainable development of Kogi State.

iv. To examine the possible solution to insecurity and poverty in Nigeria.

1.4  Research Questions 

The study is guided by the following questions: 

a. What are the causes of insecurity and poverty in Nigeria? 

b. What are the impacts of insecurity on sustainable development in    Kogi State?

c. What are the effects of poverty on the sustainable development of Kogi State?

c. Are there possible solution to insecurity and poverty in Nigeria?

1.5  Significance of the Study 

The study is also expected to be beneficial to law enforcement agents and government officials as it will necessitate decision making for urgent action on   the issue of insecurity in the country and improvement of the standard of living of the citizens and it will be useful to other agencies and organizations interested in the issue of insecurity in Nigeria

It will educate people on the ways crime such as kidnapping could influence people’s perception in relation to other variable and It will also unveil some of the causes, effect and solution to the problem of insecurity such as insurgency, armed banditry and corruption in the state. 

In addition, it will serve as a reference material to researchers in the field of criminology who will like to carry out further researches on security challenges in Nigeria

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study 

The study focused attention on the impact of insecurity and poverty on sustainable economic development in Nigeria with particular reference to Kogi State. The study will covers: the various types of insecurity in Nigeria, causes of insecurity and poverty, impact of insecurity and poverty on sustainable development in the state and possible solution to insecurity and poverty in Nigeria.

This study was not carried out without some constraint many factors really hindered the researcher from attaining a timely and accomplishing research work.  

a. Poor Response of the Respondents: The respondents are to provide relevant information to the researcher but due to their lack of understanding and educational qualification were unable to provide relevant information. 

b. Financial Constraint: Financial is another problem faced by the researcher, for total accomplishing of the objective of the study to be achieved, its demand much more cost than what the research could afford. A better result would have been gotten of the scope of the study   to be achieved. 

c. Time Constraint: Carrying out this study, the researcher was subjected to as stipulated time limit within which the findings must   be reported. Also because of the condition which the researcher is doing the research, there is little time at her disposal to efficiently deal with the resources work. 

1.8 Definition of Terms

Development:   Is a process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components.

Security: Security is the condition or feeling of safety from harm or danger, the defence, protection and absence of threat to acquire values Insecurity:  Is political, economic, social and environmental threat that affects the individual as well as the state at national and international levels.

Poverty:   Is a social condition characterized by inadequate access to basic human needs (food and shelter) to the sustenance of socially minimum standard of living in a given society

Sustainable Development:  Is development that meets the needs of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It implies economic growth together with the protection of environmental quality, each reinforcing the other.

 Sustainable Economic Development:  Sustainable development implies economic growth together with the protection of environmental quality, each reinforcing the other.