ROLE OF EDUCATION IN ADDRESSING INSECURITY AND ENHANCING HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the role of education in addressing insecurity and enhancing human capital development in North-East Nigeria. The study was guided by four objectives and four corresponding research questions. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in the six states of North-East Nigeria, namely Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States. The population of the study consisted of 2,450 respondents comprising educational administrators, teachers, lecturers, government officials, and community leaders. A sample size of 490 respondents was selected using multi-stage sampling technique involving purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled “Role of Education in Addressing Insecurity and Human Capital Development Questionnaire (REAIHCDQ).” The instrument was validated by experts in Educational Management, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Measurement and Evaluation, while a reliability coefficient of 0.84 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha method. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that education plays significant roles in addressing insecurity through peacebuilding, civic orientation, vocational training, and promotion of social integration. The study also found that insecurity negatively affects educational development through destruction of schools, disruption of academic activities, poor school enrollment, and shortage of qualified teachers. Furthermore, the study revealed that education contributes significantly to human capital development through skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, innovation, and productivity enhancement. The study equally identified inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, poverty, shortage of qualified teachers, and persistent insecurity as major challenges affecting the role of education in addressing insecurity and enhancing human capital development in North-East Nigeria. The study concluded that education remains a vital instrument for promoting peace, stability, and sustainable human capital development in the region. The study recommended increased funding of education, strengthening of peace and vocational education, improved security around schools, and recruitment of qualified teachers in insecurity-prone areas.