Government Expenditure on Education and Battle Related Deaths in Nigeria

This study examines the relationship between government expenditure on education and the incidence of battle-related deaths in Nigeria, spanning the years 2000 to 2022. The primary aim is to explore how spending on education influences the number of deaths resulting from conflicts and violence within the country. The study adopts an ex-post facto research design, with secondary data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and the World Development Indicators. Correlation models are employed to test the hypotheses. The results reveal a significant positive relationship between government expenditure on education and the occurrence of battle-related deaths in Nigeria. This suggests that, while education spending is typically viewed as a tool for fostering development and peace, it may inadvertently contribute to conflict dynamics due to unequal access to education or other socio-political factors. The study recommends that the government should focus on improving the quality and accessibility of education to address underlying grievances that may lead to violence. It also highlights the need for investment in education programs that foster critical thinking, tolerance, and conflict resolution skills to mitigate the risk of conflicts and reduce the incidence of battle-related deaths.