THE FAILED STATE SYNDROME AND THE NIGERIAN NARRATIVE

This paper examines the of insurgency by non-state actors within the context of a failed state. It provides a non-positivist qualitative view from a number of indicators to argue that the spate of insurgency in various parts of Nigeria which has resulted in the increasing number of internally displaced persons, looming food crisis, the frightening rate of unemployment especially amongst youths, as well as the rate of poverty and hunger across various regions, makes Nigeria to be categorised as a failed state. More so, the problem of development or crisis of development in the country goes beyond poor economic performance. Other indicators such as the breakdown of political legitimacy, the state’s inability to protect lives and property and quelling religious extremism are necessary albeit not sufficient conditions in building strong states and its development process.