This research was initiated to assess the challenges Nigeria is facing in the fight against Boko Haram Insurgency in the North East zone dating from 2009-2015. The objective of the research minorly was to determine the origin, activities, method of operation and targets of Boko Haram and majorly to access the challenges and prospects of Nigeria in their bid to quell the Boko Haram insurgency. Using content analysis and statistical method of enquiry on the budget provisions by the Ministry of Defence, the inability of Nigeria to identify the strategy of Boko Haram and its counter-attack effect and also inadequacy of equipment and logistics as the hypothesis as well as other challenges were examined. Evidence from the research shows that not only has the activities of Boko Haram affected Nigerians negatively, but has indeed undermined the very existence of the political entity called Nigeria. Based on finding from the research, it was reasonably concluded that Nigeria should properly keep tabs on the budget spending for the fight against the Boko Haram insurgent group, so high standard and efficient equipment and logistics can be acquired, and Nigeria’s efforts can be noticed rather than the corruption allegations made by the military personnel. It was recommended among others that, good governance should be encouraged, and also a new strategy based on intelligence gathering, should be adopted to enable the Nigerian government fight effectively as well as motivation incentives, uplifting of the spirits and courage of the combatants and transparency of the spending of the budget should be visible to the public. This should be properly put in place and maintained to ensure that the Boko Haram crisis can be managed and in the long run eradicated.

TABLE OF CONTENTS                       

Page Title Page .......... I 

Certification ...... II 

Dedication ........ III 

Acknowledgements ........... IV 

Abstract ............. V 

Table of Contents ............... VI 

CHAPTER ONE: 

INTRODUCTION ............. 1 

1.1. Background to the Study...........................1 

1.2. Statement of Research Problem.......3 

1.3. Aim of Study................................4 

1.4. Research Questions.......................4 

1.5. Research Objectives......................5 

1.6. Significance of Study....................5 

1.7. Conceptual Clarifications..............6 

1.8. Scope of Study.............................11 

1.9. Limitations of Study....................11 

1.10. Research Hypothesis......................12

1.11.  Methodology.................................12 

CHAPTER TWO: 

LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................14 

2.1 The Rise of Boko Haram..................14 

2.2 Governments Response to Boko Haram Insurgency.........................25 

2.3 Prospects for Nigeria in the Fight Against Boko Haram......................30 

2.4 Theoretical Framework..................34

CHAPTER THREE: 

THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA..................40 

3.1  The Nature of Boko Haram............41 

3.2   Emergence of Boko Haram Attacks and violence in Nigeria...........47 

3.3  Causes of Boko Haram Insurgency 48 

3.4  Effects of  Boko Haram on Nigeria 58 

3.5  Nigerian Government Responses to the Boko Haram Insurgency.....72 

3.6  Security Agencies and Boko Haram Insurgency..............................77 

3.7  Nigeria’s  Security  Agencies  Efforts  in  the  Fight  Against  Boko Haram79 

3.8  Conclusion  ..................................84

CHAPTER  FOUR: 

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT’S CHALLENGES AND ISSUES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST  THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY...................................85    

4.1. The Orthodox Security Agencies Symmetric Warfare Strategy...........85 

4.2.  Challenges  of  Nigeria  in  Fighting  Boko  Haram  in  the  North  East Zone....87 

4.3.  Challenges  of  the  Security  Agencies  in  the  fight  against  Boko Haram..103 

4.4.  Challenges  of  Nigeria  Networking  with  Neighbours  and  Foreign Powers .. 105 

4.5. Major Findings of the Study..........107 

4.6.  Prospects  of  fighting  Boko  Haram  Insurgency  in  North East Nigeria ... 110 

CHAPTER  FIVE:  

SUMMARY,  CONCLUSION  AND RECOMMENDATIONS...........................115 

5.1. Summary......................................115 

5.2. Conclusion....................................115 

5.3. Recommendations.........................115 

REFERENCE