Insurgency, Hunger And Fertility In North-East Nigeria
Ene Warikiente Robert, Joachim Evanono
Keywords: Fertility rate, insurgency, vulnerable populations, reproductive health services
Abstract
The study examines the relationship between insurgency, poverty, hunger and high fertility rates in North-East Nigeria. Guided by the Resource Conflict Theory, the study explains how fertility rates contribute to the prevalence of hunger and insurgency in the region. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with quantitative data emerging from a sample of 400 respondents while qualitative data emerged from 15 key informant interviews in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. The study’s findings reveal that insecurity, poverty and hunger significantly influence fertility behaviours among residents of North-East Nigeria as uncertanities of dieing soon due to
insurgency, poverty and hunger influence sexual behaviour of residents to procreate and have more children in order to replace parents when they eventuall die of insecurity, poverty or hunger. The study concludes that high fertility rates in North-East Nigeria
favourably serve insurgent groups who exploit the reality of poverty and hunger in the region to recruit new members. The study recommends integrated development programmes that strengthen governance structures and enhance reproductive health services to be implemented in North-East Nigeria as measures to address the root causes of insurgency, poverty and hunger in the region.
Author Biography
Ene Warikiente Robert, Joachim Evanono
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Email: [email protected], [email protected]