Conflict Entrepreneurs, Insurgency and Underdevelopment in the North-East Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

Insurgency and other violent conflicts in the Northeastern part of Nigeria remain a recurring challenge to Nigeria's security and national development. This is largely due to the activities of conflict entrepreneurs whose business interest is directed to stimulate and prolong conflicts through various means. The menace led to the destruction of lives and properties and the displacement of residents. Several interventions by the government have been put in place to curb the menace, yet insecurity heightens. This paper examined how conflict entrepreneurs promote insurgency and under-development in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The paper adopted the Queer Ladder Theory (QLT) and the Greed and Grievance theory as a guide. The qualitative approach that relied on secondary data sources was employed. The study revealed that conflict entrepreneurs in the northeast region of Nigeria sustain insurgencies and underdevelopment through economic incentives, political manipulation, and ideological extremism. Weak governance, corruption, and poor security responses enable these actors, to lead to declining infrastructure, mass displacement, food insecurity, and human capital erosion. It is recommended that the government should focus on dismantling economic networks supporting conflict entrepreneurs, strengthening border security, disrupting illicit trade, and enforcing stricter financial regulations. Alternative economic opportunities should be provided to vulnerable populations. Strong governance and accountability measures, anti-corruption initiatives, and community engagement strategies should be implemented to curb political actors' influence and promote social cohesion.