BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND NIGERIA’S RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES, 2009 – 2014
ABSTRACT
The persistence of Boko Haram insurgency impinges upon Nigeria’s relations with US, which have been cordial but restricted. Researchers have divergent opinion about the extent U.S. should be committed in assisting Nigeria in countering Boko Haram insurgency. Researches on the interconnectivity between Boko Haram insurgency and Nigeria’s-US military-security partnership, trade and aid are inadequate and do not reflect current developments. Consequently, the study set out to examine the effects of Boko Haram insurgency on Nigeria’s relations with US from 2009 to June 2014. It was guided by two research questions: first, does the persistence of Boko Haram insurgency results to changes in the content of Nigeria and US military-security partnership? Secondly, does the persistence of Boko Haram insurgency leads to a decline in US trade and aid to Nigeria? This study employs pre-test post-test research design, qualitative descriptive and quantitative method of data analysis. Linkage Politics was the theoretical framework applied to interrogate the issues under discuss. The research discovered that persistence in Boko Haram insurgency has resulted to changes in the content of Nigeria’s military-security partnership with US, as typified in unprecedented direct request by Nigeria and assistance from US, coupled with reactive change in policy of both nations. It was also ascertained that persistence of Boko Haram insurgency failed to cause a decline in U.S. trade and aid to Nigeria; in fact, U.S. trade and aid to Nigeria is increasing. The research recommends that, to engender cordiality and sustain the level of trade, US military-security partnership and aid to Nigeria should focus on total involvement of Nigeria military and citizens rather than penetrating Nigeria security system.