Governance and Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria

The Boko Haram insurgency has dignified a substantial threat to Nigeria’s national security, governance and development since 2009. This study examines the role of governance in addressing the menace of insurgency, and accentuating how weak institutions, inequalities, nepotism, religious extremist, socio-economic, tribalism have contributed to its advent. With secondary data, the paper uses qualitative approach to analyze government responses, including military action, political, and socio-economic tactics. The study adopts counterinsurgency theory (COIN) to explain the causes and proffer solutions in the war against Boko Haram insurgents. The findings reveal that while Nigeria has achieved partial success through military operations, justifiable peace depends mainly on effective governance, open door policies, transparent and accountability, inclusive development, sustenance of political will, et cetera. The paper concludes that strengthening governance structures is essential for long standing counterinsurgency achievement.