The Impact of Extremism on the Youth: An Analysis of the BAY Regions of Nigeria.

Since the foundation of the terrorist group known as Boko Haram in 2002, the BAY regions in northeast Nigeria have been tormented by continuous instability. Precariousness in these regions prevents the population from enjoying their basic human rights and living in peace. Nigerian authorities should prioritise expanding employment opportunities, tackling the threat posed by insurgents, and ensuring equal access to education and safety for its youth. This thesis assesses the disruptions triggered by Boko Haram to the ordinary lives and schooling of Nigerian youth. It demonstrates how these children have had to fend for themselves, have their studies interrupted, live on the streets, and be indefinitely separated from their families. Two research questions guide the direction of this study; the first addresses the origins of Boko Haram and the reasons for its prevailing existence. The second spotlights the various youth groups disproportionately affected by terrorism, kidnappings, forced recruitment, and devastation in the Northeast. This study is supported by the organisation Youths for Peace Building & Development in Africa (YOUPEDA) and ten semi-structured interviews with residents from the BAY regions who have experienced Boko Haram’s atrocities firsthand. Through close scrutiny of the existing literature and the accounts of the interviewees, this thesis demonstrates that the origins of Boko Haram can be traced back to poor governance, poverty and unemployment, colonial roots, and animosity towards the West. Additionally, the youth groups most affected are found to be almajiri children, unemployed youth, unaccompanied children, psychologically impacted children, and IDP children. This thesis employs a mixedmethod approach, comparing trends in the literature with the primary accounts offered by interviewees. It provides an in-depth review of the Child’s Rights Act (2003), specifically parts 1 to 4, and seeks to examine the reluctance of Nigeria's government to satisfy State compliance with these mandates.