Abstract:
This paper interrogates the historical foundations, ideological orientations, and global connections of Boko Haram, one of Nigeria’s most enduring insurgencies. It traces the movement’s evolution from earlier sectarian groups and reformist traditions in northern Nigeria to its transformation into Jamaʿatu Ahlis Sunnah Liddaʿawati wal-Jihad. The study further situates the emergence of Boko Haram within the broader socio-political and religious contexts, highlighting how state failure, endemic corruption, youth alienation, and local grievances converged with transnational jihadist ideologies and Middle Eastern influences to sustain the insurgency. It argues that Boko Haram cannot be explained by a singular framework; rather, it reflects the interplay of local dynamics, doctrinal contestations, political patronage, and global currents. The paper further assesses the role of conspiracy theories, sectarian rivalries, and political entanglements in shaping Boko Haram’s trajectory. Ultimately, it concludes that Boko Haram represents a complex historical process defying reductionist explanations, while underscoring its enduring implications for security, identity, and governance in contemporary Nigeria.
DOI: 10.36349/sokotojh.2026.v14i01.008
