Exploration Of Weaponization on How Poverty Impacts Youth Restiveness in Borno State

Abstract

This study explores the weaponisation of poverty and its impact on youth restiveness in Borno State, Nigeria. Over the past two decades, Borno State has witnessed a surge in violent extremism, insurgency, and socio-political instability, with youth often at the centre of these crises. The research investigates how poverty is deliberately manipulated or sustained by political, economic, and insurgent actors as a tool to control, recruit, or destabilise vulnerable youth populations. Using a mixed-methods approach involving key informant interviews, surveys, and document analysis, the study identifies strong correlations between poverty-induced deprivation and the rising tide of youth restiveness. The findings reveal that limited access to education, unemployment, food insecurity, and lack of social safety nets have created fertile ground for radicalization and anti-state behavior. The study also uncovers that political elites and insurgent groups alike exploit the economic disenfranchisement of young people for personal or ideological gains. It concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for strategic poverty alleviation programs, inclusive governance, and community-based rehabilitation initiatives to mitigate youth unrest and build sustainable peace in Borno State. Recommendations include targeted youth empowerment programs, transparent resource distribution, and collaboration between government, civil society, and international partners.