2 weeks Ago By David Meshioye
The seeming intractable war on terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria easily lends itself to warnings by well-meaning people that the huge population of out-of-school children in the country remains a big driver of the instability. The more recent of such warnings came from former President Olusegun Obasanjo who submitted that 20 million out-of-school children constitute potential Boko Haram recruits. Such deductions are of course glaring.
What is confounding is that governments at all levels, especially in the northern parts where insurgency prevails, have not considered it necessary to declare an emergency on out-school children as a measure of addressing terrorism, kidnapping and sundry crimes thriving all over the country. Education is a fundamental pillar that can counteract the appeal of extremist ideologies. So, with millions of children out of school, they are left vulnerable to manipulation by extremist groups that promise identity, purpose, and community.
Thus, the alarming data of 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria presents a significant risk factor for recruitment into extremist groups like Boko Haram; and the Nigerian government must take decisive action to address this crisis, which not only threatens national security but also the future of countless young Nigerians. Boko Haram, which translates to “Western education is forbidden”, has exploited the vulnerabilities of youth in Nigeria, particularly in the northeastern region. The group has been responsible for thousands of deaths and widespread displacement since its insurgency began in 2009.
Its tactics include abduction, violence, and intimidation, targeting both civilians and government officials alike. Given reports that many young recruits join Boko Haram seeking protection or a sense of belonging in a society that has largely failed them; it could be inferred that the recruitment of young people into Boko Haram is not only driven by poor access to education but extends to poverty and unemployment which create a fertile ground for radicalisation. Hence, it is imperative to address these root causes that make children susceptible to recruitment by Boko Haram, to protect its citizens and foster a more stable society; take critical steps to build a resilient society capable of resisting extremist influences.
Immediate action should be taken to invest in Nigeria’s youth, through comprehensive educational and economic reforms; and amplifying local counter-narratives that effectively challenge Boko Haram’s recruitment efforts through engaging community leaders, supporting grassroots initiatives, utilising media, promoting youth involvement, facilitating dialogue, and highlighting success stories To effectively reduce youth radicalisation in Nigeria, the government can implement a series of targeted policies that address the root causes of extremism and provide positive alternatives for young people. These include prioritising enhanced educational access, creating job opportunities, strengthening community support systems, promoting peace education, and monitoring religious teachings. Every child, especially in vulnerable regions, should have access to free and quality education, which necessitates building more schools in rural areas, providing scholarships for low-income families, and other incentives for families to keep their children in school.
Also, it is important to develop job training programmes and initiatives aimed at reducing youth unemployment because economic empowerment can diminish the allure of extremist groups that offer financial incentives for joining their ranks. As such, the government should establish vocational training centres to equip youth with practical skills that enhance employability. The programmes in the vocational training centres should focus on local market needs, providing training in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and ICT.
Other job creation initiatives targeted at youth employment could involve partnerships with the private sector to create internships and apprenticeships; not discounting the setting up of business development centres in local government areas to support young entrepreneurs with access to credit, mentorship, and market information. Similarly, peace education should be integrated into school curricula to teach children about conflict resolution, tolerance, and the dangers of extremism, from primary through tertiary levels. It is also germane to monitor religious teachings and ensure that they promote peace and tolerance, counter extremist narratives to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies; and collaborate with local leaders to promote moderate interpretation of religious teachers.
Community sensitisation using media platforms is also crucial to counteracting the appeal of extremist ideologies. As such, in this technological era, media platforms could be deployed to disseminate counter-narratives against violent extremism; and highlight the negative aspects of Boko Haram, such as its exploitation of youth and the false promises it makes, utilising local languages and culturally relevant content. Engaging youth through platforms they frequently use can enhance message reach.
In addition, community radio programmes that feature discussions on the dangers of extremism and showcase stories from individuals who resisted recruitment could be leveraged to help normalise resistance against Boko Haram within communities. Furthermore, strengthening community support structures is imperative to foster strong family and community networks that can provide emotional and social support to youth; not discounting programmes that promote family dialogue about the dangers of radicalisation and community engagement that promote social cohesion that can help counteract the narratives propagated by Boko Haram. Through community dialogue, residents can discuss grievances related to governance, security, and social issues to build trust between communities and government authorities, reducing the appeal of extremist groups that exploit such grievances.
In particular, effectively countering Boko Haram’s recruitment efforts requires local counter-narratives using religious and traditional leaders to amplify local counter-narratives. Hence, the need to utilise the influence of respected community figures to disseminate counter-narratives that expose Boko Haram’s corruption and violence. These leaders can articulate messages that resonate with local values and concerns, effectively undermining the group’s appeal.
Again, the Nigerian state should connect youth with positive role models who can inspire them to pursue constructive paths rather than joining extremist groups; encourage the formation of youth-led advocacy groups that focus on peacebuilding and community development to mobilise peers to resist extremist narratives and promote positive alternatives; and train young people as peer educators who can share their experiences and counter Boko Haram’s narratives among their peers, fostering a culture of resistance. The government, in particular the National Orientation Agency (NOA), should showcase resilience and share success stories of individuals and communities that have effectively resisted Boko Haram’s recruitment efforts because highlighting these narratives can inspire others to take a stand against extremism. The NOA should also reinforce anti-corruption campaigns to build trust between the government and communities because a transparent governance system can reduce grievances that fuel radicalisation by demonstrating accountability and responsiveness.
All said, the Nigerian government stands at a critical juncture where proactive measures that address educational deficits, economic despair, community cohesion, and governance issues will not only mitigate the risk of recruitment into extremist groups like Boko Haram but also foster a more stable and resilient society capable of resisting radicalisation and violent ideologies. This can significantly alter the trajectory of the future of youth; protect citizens and position them to contribute positively to communities..
