Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

One of the most fundamental problems currently facing the Nigerian State is how to permanently tackle the menace of Boko Haram insurgency and its crippling effects on the economy of northeastern Nigeria states. The northeastern states are predominantly agrarian states but since the inception of Boko Haram insurgency and its activities in the area, the economy of the area has continued to decline and most people have lost their sources of livelihood and lives. Recently, Boko Haram has cashed in on the drastic economic conditions in the region (caused by the insurgency), to champion the massive recruitment and radicalization of females (voluntarily and involuntarily) for their ungodly course. This unprecedented and dynamic strategic change of Boko Haram recruitment is strongly aided by the declining economy of the region, thus regarded as the most fearful terrorist organization, not only in Nigeria but in the entire Lake Chad Basin. Greater percentage of these recruited Boko Haram female terrorists have since 2014 been deployed as suicide bombers and over 6,000 people have died from their attacks. This is because the female suicide bombers penetrate targeted areas easily and spread far-reaching terror in Nigeria. This paper therefore aims to investigate how the dwindling economy of Northeastern Nigeria caused by Boko Haram insurgency has aided in the recruitment and radicalization of female terrorists. The paper will draw inferences from secondary sources, including textbooks, newspapers/magazines and journal articles published already. The study will rely on poverty breeds conflict theory for its postulations. The paper amongst others recommends that issues bothering on climate change like drought, deforestation of bush land and spread of the Sahara be adequately handled; that livelihoods of the people of the Northeast be sustained and that the rising level of poverty in the region be resolved by the Federal, State governments and other humanitarian agencies involved and that the economy of the Northeast should be revamped in order to curtail the recruitment and radicalization of females by Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria.

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