Cycle of Bad Governance and Corruption

This article argues that bad governance and corruption particularlyin the Northern part of Nigeria have been responsible for the persistent rise in theactivities of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JASLWJ), Arabic for “peoplecommitted to the propagation of the tradition and jihad.” It is also known as “BokoHaram,” commonly translated as “Western education is sin.” Based on qualitative dataobtained through interviews with Nigerians, this article explicates how poor governancein the country has created a vicious cycle of corruption, poverty, and unemployment,leading to violence. Although JASLWJ avows a religious purpose in its activities, ittakes full advantage of the social and economic deprivation to recruit new members. Forany viable short- or long-term solution, this article concludes that the country must goall-out with its anti-corruption crusade. This will enable the revival of other criticalsectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, likely ensuring more employment. Shouldthe country fail to stamp out corruption, it will continue to witness an upsurge in theactivities of JASLWJ, and perhaps even the emergence of other violent groups. Thespillover effects may be felt not only across Nigeria but also within the entire WestAfrican region