Supporting Local Efforts

A section of the policy space in Nigeria has been inundated with discussions around governing ungoverned areas in the country. For clear security reasons, the nation has many ungoverned spaces that have become fertile grounds for armed groups. Life of many residents is in the hands of criminal elements that hold sway in such locations. A number of reasons may account for the trend. First, considerably weak state institutions in Nigeria are more vulnerable in rural and ungoverned areas. Second, local government administration is agreeably ineffective, especially with the overriding control state governments have over local affairs.

An interesting puzzle for policymakers must be how to manage public affairs and implement policies in the face of uncertainties and insecurities. Many troubled communities have since taken laws into their hands; to protect themselves, and to administer local affairs. Both society and gender roles have rapidly increased to meet up with new demands induced by the insecurity and lack of government presence. While government is focused on restoring durable peace and stability in affected areas, it must also build the capacity of local actors and support local actions geared towards the survival of people entrapped in vulnerabilities. In many northeast communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency, the role of women and youth have rapidly increased although not with commensurate capacity building, according to a study by Nextier SPD. All members of the study communities are working together to build their resilience against Boko Haram conflict.

Escalating violence and conflict, ungoverned spaces are apparent symptoms of weak state institutions. These issues make public policy implementation difficult as meaningful activity cannot occur in a volatile environment. The inability of the state to implement policies and administer governance will make it weaker and less resistant to shocks. The implications of violent conflict will inadvertently impact on political stability and economic development. Residents may have taken the first step towards survival through local initiatives. But government needs to mobilise more technical and capacity support to these local efforts.

Government must get closer to local initiatives that are reacting to violence and gaps in governance. Local violence has triggered the emergence of self and group defence culminating in group-based militias. Government must secure these hotspots and also manage the proliferation of local self-defence groups before they go rogue. Nigeria\’s development partners working in the northeast should increase technical and material support to local initiatives as they are critical to the stabilisation of the region.