Violence and Insecurity Deepen Poverty in Northern Nigeria

A report conducted by the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network (CPAN) and the Development Studies Unit of the United Kingdom's DRPC highlights the worsening household poverty in Northern Nigeria due to persistent violence and insecurity. The research, supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), indicates that conflicts have reduced household spending by 14 percent over a year.

The study, presented by CPAN Deputy Director Dr. Vidya Diwakar during a virtual launch, identifies three major conflict patterns impacting households: Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgency in the North East, which has caused severe economic damage, and farmer-herder clashes in the North Central region, leading to a 14 percent decline in spending among near-poor households.

Banditry and kidnappings in the North West have further reduced expenditures among moderately poor households by 4 to 11 percent. The report emphasizes the need for the federal government to integrate peacebuilding efforts with economic empowerment programs to prevent further deterioration of poverty levels.