INSECURITY, VIOLENT CONFLICT, AND THE ATTAINMENT OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) IN MONGUNO, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between insecurity, violent conflict, and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, with a specific focus on Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno State. The research is premised on the argument that insecurity is not only a consequence of underdevelopment but also a structural barrier that directly undermines sustainable development outcomes. Persistent violence, particularly linked to the Boko Haram insurgency, has resulted in widespread displacement, destruction of livelihoods, weakened institutions, and disrupted access to essential services, thereby impeding progress toward key SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative analysis of SDG indicators and conflict-related data with qualitative insights from household surveys and key informant interviews involving community leaders, internally displaced persons, service providers, and local officials. Data are drawn from government statistics, conflict and displacement databases, and field-based evidence. The analytical framework is anchored in Human Security Theory, the Conflict–Development Nexus, and Social Cohesion Theory, enabling a multidimensional understanding of the interplay between security, livelihoods, governance, and social stability. Findings reveal that insecurity significantly constrains agricultural production, exacerbates food insecurity, limits access to healthcare and education, weakens economic activities, and erodes institutional capacity. The results further demonstrate the interconnected nature of the SDGs, where disruptions in one sector produce cascading effects across others, thereby deepening poverty and vulnerability. The study highlights that without addressing insecurity, progress toward the SDGs in conflict-affected areas remains unlikely. The study concludes that achieving sustainable development in Monguno and similar contexts requires integrated, conflict-sensitive approaches that combine peacebuilding, institutional strengthening, and inclusive economic development. It recommends the adoption of a security–development nexus framework, increased investment in livelihoods and social services, strengthened local governance, and enhanced data-driven policymaking. By providing localized and context-specific evidence, this research contributes to policy and academic discourse on sustainable development in fragile settings and offers practical pathways for accelerating SDG implementation in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions.