Violent Conflict Deepens Poverty in Northern Nigeria

A report presented during a high-level webinar organized by the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network (CPAN) and the Development Studies Unit of the United Kingdom highlights the deepening poverty in Northern Nigeria due to violent conflicts. The report identifies three major forms of insecurity affecting the region: Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the North East, farmer-herder conflicts in the North Central, and banditry and kidnapping in the North West.

It reveals that households in conflict-affected areas experience an 8% to 14% reduction in expenditures per adult equivalent. The report indicates that farmer-herder clashes have the most significant impact, causing a 14% expenditure drop among the near-poor in the North Central region.

Additionally, banditry and kidnapping in the North West lead to a 4% to 11% loss in expenditures, primarily affecting moderately poor households. Despite these challenges, the report notes that livelihood diversification serves as a protective factor, with education strengthening household capacity to diversify income sources.