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IAA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES 10(1):1-9, 2024. https://www.iaajournals.org/

©IAAJOURNALS ISSN: 2636-7289
https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJSS/2024/10.1.19000 IAAJSS10.1.19000

Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on Educational

Infrastructure Development in Potiskum Local
Government Area, Yobe State, Nigeria: A Perception
Study
Tom Mulegi1, Usman Bappi2, Mohammed Banga3, Eleanor Kirahora Barongo and
Shakiro Iluku Joyce
1Department of Public Administration and Management, Kampala International University, Uganda
2Department of Public Administration, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria
3Department of Public Administration, College of Administrative, Management and Technology

(CAMTECH) Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria, Department of Development, Peace &Conflict Studies, Kampala
International University, Uganda, Department of Foundations of Education, Kampala International,
University, Uganda.
Email: tommulegi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Security threat is a phenomenon that is currently drawing the attention of everybody across the globe. However,
the activities of Boko Haram insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria in recent time have significantly affected
educational activities in the region. This paper focused on the Perception of secondary school teachers on the
impact of Boko Haram insurgency on Government Senior Secondary School Infrastructure development in local
Government in Potiskum, Yobe State. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study
comprised all teachers and school administrators in Government Senior Secondary Schools in Potiskum which
amounted to 729. Samples of 248 respondents were randomly selected from the population. Questionnaire
designed along a Likert scale was used for data collection. The data collected were analysed using both
descriptive and inferential statistics, the descriptive statistics used include; mean, standard deviation and
percentage, while graphs and charts were used to present the data. The Inferential statistics used was Paired-t-
Test. The findings of the study revealed that, Boko Haram insurgency has negatively affected the school
infrastructure in Government Senior Secondary Schools in Potiskum. Besides, the hypotheses tested at 5% were
significant (sig-v. >P = 0.05). The study thereby concluded that, infrastructures, in Government Senior
Secondary Schools in Potiskum have been affected by activities of Boko Haram. Finally, the study recommended
that, government should make provision for infrastructures destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency.
Keywords: Boko Haram, Security threat, Perception, insurgency, infrastructure

INTRODUCTION
The increasing number of insurgent groups across friends but more were crumped into camps where
the globe has become one of the major impediments they became victims of further violence, mental
to global peace and security. Insurgency is a threat stress and diseases. The emerging trend to
to the economic, political and social security of the insurgency in the contemporary world has become
world. Insurgency is often associated with a subject of concern both at national and
underdevelopment because it destroys both local international level [3]. The spite of insurgency in
and foreign investments. According to [1], Africa clearly shows that, there is no definite
insurgency reduces quality of life; destroys human number of insurgent or terrorist groups, because
and social capital, damages relationship between terrorism is an evolving phenomena being
citizen and a state, undermining democracy, rule of perpetuated by myriad of actors across the
law and ability of the world to promote continent. The number of terrorist attacks being
development. United Nation Commission for witnessed around the continent are well
Human Refugees [2], posited that hundreds of documented in literature and media. The most
thousands of people were displaced due to prominent insurgent groups that impose terror
insurgency globally every year. People were forced impact in Africa include among others, Boko Haram
to flee their homes in search of protection, some in Nigeria and Al-Shabaab in Somalia [4]. The
were able to find place to stay with families and presence of these terrorist groups, together with
1
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their allies across Africa, has led to loss of lives, fighters were effected using fuel-laden motorcycles
sustenance of injuries and loss of livelihoods [5]. In and bows with poisoned arrows. The group
addition, terror activities on the continent relocated to Yusuf's home state of Yobe in the
contributes immensely to mass displacements of the village Kanamma near the Niger Republic border in
civilian population. This growing issues of 2004. At that point, Yusuf’s membership
terrorists attacks which have resulted in the recruitment tentacles were extended to
increase of movement of people across border, neighbouring Chad and Niger predominantly
remains a major security challenge for policy Arabic speaking countries. Yusuf took advantage of
makers in Africa [6]. There are numerous the unemployment, poverty, corruption and
narrations about the origin of Boko Haram, some insecurity among youths, citing verses of Quran
accounts maintained that it drew inspiration from and teachings of the prophet to buttress his
the Maitatsine uprisings of the early 1980s in terms ideology, making the youths refer to him as one
of objectives but its organizational planning, armed capable of delivering them from the corrupt grip of
resistance and modus operandi are more in tune the government [9-13]. Following series of crises
with Al’ Shabab and Taliban [7]. Boko Haram is an between the group and the police in 2009, Nigerian
insurgent and terrorist group traceable to government launched an investigation into the
Maiduguri where their leader Mohammed Yusuf in group's activities. Several members of the group
2002 had sought to establish a state in which were arrested, sparking deadly clashes with
secular laws would be totally expunged and Sharia Nigerian security forces leading to nearly 700
law would be used for governance. To actualize human deaths [14-16]. The sect intended to create
this, he recruited like-minded “people committed to an Islamic state carved out of Nigeria where they
the propagation of the Prophet's teachings and could practice their religious beliefs [17-19]. On
jihad” and adopted the Arabic terms the other hand, the Federal Government of Nigeria
“Jama'atulAhlilSunnaLidda'awatilwal-Jihad” as the interpreted the move as treasonable, unreasonable
movement’s official name. Believing that western and unacceptable. In an attempt to curb the group’s
education strongly propagates secular laws which excesses, the founder and then leader Mohammed
oppose Sharia, the group views western education Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody
as sacrilege [8]. At early stage of its evolution, [20]. Apparently provoked by the death of their
Boko Haram attacks were relatively restricted to leader, the new leadership escalated the frequency
cases of provocation. Its Initial target being the and intensity of attacks, engaging suicide bombing,
police, perceived as custodians of western laws; and outright shooting and kidnapping into the Nigerian
also believed to have clamped down on insurgent’s crime space [21].
members for infringing on state laws and codes. At
this point, attacks on police stations by Boko Haram
Conceptual Review
The concept of Boko Haram insurgency
Boko Haram activities have been identified as one sect, whose objectives or claims is to introduce their
of the factors that facilitated various levels of ideology on people through bombings,
destructions of many economic activities, including slaughtering, and abduction of human beings,
educational infrastructure in most locations in the creating fear and sense of insecurity in the society.
northern part of Nigeria. According to [22], the Their strict ideology was enforced by radical
closing down of schools have far reaching religious beliefs, a terrorist outlook, a network of
consequences, including high school dropout rates. criminal gangs, and a political tool to ‘colonize’
According to Ministry of Education, many schools territories with the aim of propagating their
were closed down in Yobe State, affecting about ideology [24]. According to [25], Boko Haram
120,000 students after a frequent attack by [23]. destroyed economic activities of many places they
From the beginning of 2012, about 70 teachers and spread their tentacles as well as led to movement of
more than 1000 school children were killed, some people from the affected place due to restiveness.
wounded; 50 schools burnt and more than 60 others The trademarks of the Boko Haram are destruction
forced to close. Generally, the Boko Haram of lives and property with reckless attitudes,
insurgency, has led to the destruction of many through bombings, abduction and slaughtering of
schools which have made the affected states to close human beings especially in North Eastern part of
down schools and colleges for a long period of time. the country and other places. This has created fear
It has affected education in the North Eastern State and sense of insecurity in the polity, as opined by
- low school enrolment, especially for girls as well [26]. Education is seen as an important factor of
as high number of out of school children. Generally, human capital investment. It has been severally
many children were forced out of school across reported that, after the Second World War, several
communities - in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States; economists, including [27-29], were instrumental
and several teachers were forced to migrate to other to the development of the human capital theory to
locations [24]. The emergence of the Boko Haram determine the importance and benefits of education
2
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for individuals in particular and society in general. activities of Boko Haram sects have rubbished the
The main objective of the study is to examine the image of Nigeria and have hampered the quest for
impact of Boko Haram insurgency in school achieving Millennium Development Goals (M D
attendance and enrolment. Furthermore, it has Gs’) as well as vision 2020. However, according to
been observed that, most of the studies reviewed [24], an insurgency is a systematic approach used
were concerned either with the positive or negative by a group of people to kill, destroy and violently
effect of Boko Haram insurgency broadly. Like the intimidate innocent citizens for their selfish interest
studies of [15]. This study however, examined the because the insurgency has been a global menace
degree of responsiveness of educational output as which affects the economic and social status of the
result of the occurrence of Boko Haram insurgency country experiencing it. Boko Haram is a terrorist
using Structural Equation Model (SEM), which group in which their aggression describes by
none of the study adopted as a method of analysis, observers as a violent extremist beyond a domestic
in order to determine whether it has significant or agenda in which the observers characterised [27].
insignificant impacts. [19]. Reported that, the
Historical Analysis of Boko Haram Insurgency
Boko Haram figurate implies that Western or Non- in the early 1999 as a means to influence
Islamic education is a sin [22]. They are very international audience and secure commensurate
controversial, Nigerian militant Islamic group that compensation for the degradation of their
seek for the imposition of sharia law in the entire environment through oil exploration and
northern states of Nigeria. [24], the official name production. Since the amnesty deal in 2009, their
of the group is Jama’atulAhlis Sunnah menace seems to be in a suspended animation or
LiddaAwatiwal jihad which is Arabic translated to holiday, thereby paving the way for the Boko haram
people committed to the propagation of the insurgent to fill the vacuum created. To be sure,
prophet’s teachings and jihad. From this, it is clear Boko haram which implies that western education
that Boko haram is a group of Islamism is sinful was launched into existence in 2003 by a
fundamentalist that are committed to carry out holy school dropout Mohammed Yusuf in the city of
war (jihad) and Islamized northern state of Nigeria Borno as an amorphous Islamic sect seeking to
and probably conquer the entire country through purify Islam and spread it by force as well as
jihad [26]. International journal of humanities and dismantle western education and civil services
social science, vol. 21 No 5 March, 2012. Recently, across the northern state of Nigeria [27]. At the
global peace and security have come under severe impatient stage, the group leader established a
stress on account of insurgent activities; also religious complex that includes a mosque and a
national peace and security have come under stress school where many poor families from across
too because of insurgent activities carried out by the Nigeria and neighbouring countries such as Niger,
insurgent group (Boko haram) in Nigeria, especially and chad enrolled their children. Soon, the initially
by ultra-left wing Islamic groups who are desirous seemingly innocuous group began to work as a
of creating a society of their own vision and dream recruiting ground for future jihadists to fight the
[24]. state. When the group became rather difficult to
In this respect, it becomes important to trace such control, the then governor of Borno State Sen. Ali
activities known as Islamic insurgency or otherwise Modu sheriff ask them to leave the state.
called Islamic terrorism which is synonymous to Consequently, the group relocated to Kanamma,
Boko haram set in the northern part of Nigeria. Yobe State in 2003 and name itself the Taliban.
Islamic terrorism operates all over the world, From its new location which they renamed
though with different ideologies, but maintains a Afghanistan, the group began the process of
secret steeper cell, these steeper cell share Afghanistization of the north by launching force,
intelligence and training hence, they believe in a dangerous and sporadic attacks on the citizens in
similar cause, based on the fact that there is an the country including western institutions [26]. In
affiliation between Boko haram Islamic sect in the retaliation to the killing of Mohammed Yusuf in
northern part of the country (Nigeria) with other police custody on July 30th 2009, the sect under its
Islamic terrorist such as Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and current leadership of Abubakar Shekau launched its
Hamas [26]. In Nigeria, specifically, there is no first attack in Yobe State on 12th July 2009 that
history of insurgency or terrorism in the form of recorded the death of four people. Since then, the
conditional attack to spread fear and underline the menace of the groups has escalated both in
government of the country until recently. It is frequency and intensity to the extent of becoming a
therefore, contended here that insurgency was thorn in the flesh of Nigeria leadership [22].
imported into Nigeria by the Niger Delta militant
Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on School Infrastructure
One of the major school resources which facilitated very important because studies have shown that it
effective teaching and learning is the classroom. can significantly affect student achievement in
Qualitative and good classroom environment is secondary schools [20]. Similarly, further views
3
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were echoed based on a study in India, which been expressed by the Yobe State Governor when
observed that quality of classroom conditions has he lamented the situation, as follows:
strong positive effects on students’ academic I am sad that the resources we would have used to provide
achievement. [21] note that, many rural schools other infrastructure are now being channelled to the
across African countries lack essential reconstruction of the schools [7].
infrastructure as a result of insecurity situation, It was reported by the Yobe State Ministry of
thus making the learning environment less safe, Education that, as at June, 2014, over two hundred
less efficient and less effective. Schools with poor and nine (209) schools were destroyed by
physical environment that destroyed by the insurgents" attacks. Laboratory Infrastructure in
activities of Boko Haram are less likely to attract Nigeria are grossly inadequate to meet the need of
both teachers and students or pupils [22]. The the population as results of frequent attacks on the
damaging effects have been elaborated as follows: schools by the Boko Haram insurgency [13].
The destruction of and damageto classroom Decaying nature of laboratory facilities ranging
infrastructure and facilities grossly reduce the from collapse roads and inadequate electricity and
availability of an access to education of any students water supply in the region are strangulating the
in Potiskum. Schools were burned down, it is not velocity of economic growth of the region.
only the classrooms that are lost but also all the Availability, which is one of the essential enablers
learning materials, equipment and school records of education, requires that all of the necessary
leaving children with nowhere to learn. Access to infrastructure and learning facilities must be in
education requires sufficient and proper classroom place. The physical condition of a school has a direct
facilities and services are in place and that students positive or negative effect on a teacher's morale and
can have access to adequate books and materials effectiveness, and on the general learning
[24]. The effect of insecurity is not limited to environment. Inadequate educational facilities pose
students, teachers and the classroom infrastructure a threat to the right to education. Nigerian schools
only, it is extended to even the educational are ordinarily ill equipped and not conducive to
management. For instance, the damaged or learning, and the destruction of the available school
destroyed schools needed repairs for them to be put facilities by the insurgents leaves basic education in
back to use. At present, very few labourers would a dire situation. Access to basic education in the
agree to work in school affected areas to undertake north-eastern states has been badly affected by the
schools repair for fear of attacks. Even State targeted attacks on school facilities by Boko Haram.
Governments in the affected areas are hesitant to According to UNICEF (2012-2014), over 300
repair the damaged classroom infrastructures out of schools were destroyed and 314 children killed
fear of them being destroyed again. This fear has between 2012 and 2014.
Education
Education is a process of providing knowledge and education as going beyond the formal school system
information to an individual to help him or her as it includes non-formal education which makes
develop physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, the whole process of learning a continuous one
spiritually, politically and economically. It terminating at death. In a nutshell the main
generally aims at providing knowledge, attitudes, function of education is the provision of appropriate
skills, values and beliefs into an individual to assist skills, abilities and competence of both mental and
him/her achieve a reasonable degree of competence physical well-being as necessary equipment for the
in the various facets of everyday life. [12], noted individual to live productively in the society. In
that education embraces not only the deliberate every society education connotes acquisition of
process of schooling but includes indirect and something good, something worthwhile.
incidental influences. This concept of education sees
Insurgency
An insurgent is a person who involves in the act of trade centre bombing when people views and
insurgency. Insurgency has been defined as an attentions are more centred about the security. It is
organised movement aimed at the overthrow of a also referring to the systematic use of subversion
constituted government through the use of and violence to seize, nullify, or challenge political
subversion and armed conflict [16]. Insecurity, in control of a region. By its peculiar nature,
a general term refers to a state of being subjected to insurgency is a pattern of symmetric violence. In
fear, threat, danger, molestation, intimidation effect, it involves the use of a combination of
harassment etc., in all aspects. The state of subversion, sabotage, guerrilla tactics, and sundry
insecurity featured prominently during the post- extremist machinations in a bid to attain a
cold war era as well as post September 11 world politically amenable objective [20].
Theoretical Framework
This study adopted two theories, the theory of [19] theory, stresses the fundamental role of social
Social cultural theory and Frustration Aggression interaction in cognitive development of a child.
theory by [23]. The Lev Vygotsky social cultural Vygotsky believed that the role of the teacher in
4
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education is crucial. In developing children abilities, between what people feel they want and the
teachers can guide them toward performing tasks difference however, between what is sought and
which are just beyond their current capacity. With what they get [29]. The model therefore, tries to
such guidance, children can perform beyond their explain the fact that violent response by individuals
own ability within certain limits. Vygotsky defined resulted from the prevention from achieving for
these limits as the zone of proximal development. his/her basic need. The theory also stressed that, in
Based on the fact that learning and development in the face of frustrated expectations, an individual is
Yobe state, should be collaborative activities normally embarking upon violent destructive
between the society and school. Vygotsky believed behavior or be a ready army to be used to cause
that community plays a central role in the process crisis ones their basic needs are not fulfilled.
of making meaning to children cognitive Therefore, this study underpinned by the
development [24]. The perceptional attention and frustration aggression theory in the case of Boko
memory capacity of children are transformed by Haram insurgency because the study examined the
vital cognitive tools provided by culture, such as state of insurgency caused by Boko Haram sect as
history, traditions, language, religion and social critical problem that led to the collapse of education
context. For learning to occur, the child must first as well as norms and values of many people in the
make contact with the social environment on an North eastern Nigeria. The possession of arms,
interpersonal level and then internalises this ammunition and small light weapons by the group
experience. This means that, what the child is able to Islamize Nigeria has led to the destruction of
to do in collaboration today, the child will be able lives and properties and so many people displaced.
to do independently tomorrow. This makes the Finally, the best theory among the two theories
study to lend its credence on Vygotsky Social discussed so far is Frustration Aggression Theory
cultural theory because of the significance to because the theory stressed that, in the face of
culture and social context, while the Frustration frustrated expectations, an individual is normally
Aggression theory by [25] but was expanded, embarking upon violent destructive behavior or be
improved and modified by [28], has been used in a ready army to be used to cause crisis ones their
analysing the consequences of Boko Haram basic needs are not fulfilled. Therefore, this study
insurgency on educational development because the underpinned by the frustration aggression theory
theory was design mainly from the psychological in the case of Boko Haram insurgency because the
basis of motivation and behaviour in determining study examined the state of insurgency caused by
people actions and inactions towards a particular Boko Haram sect as critical problem that led to the
situation. The model provides explanation for collapse of education as well as norms and values of
violent behavioural disposition which coursed by many people in the North eastern Nigeria
the inability of individuals to fulfil their human particularly Yobe State. The possession of arms,
desire. It is on the basis of the general premise that ammunition and small light weapons by the group
all individuals have basic needs which they seek to to Islamize Nigeria has led to the destruction of
fulfil and that any distraction that can prevent them lives and properties and so many people displaced
from gating these basic needs, they can create [25].
violent. The theory emphasizes the discrepancy
Statement of the Problem
The activities of Boko Haram insurgencies cannot least 40 in Nigeria’s Yombe state. The Islamist
be over-emphasized; they were associated with terrorist group has killed and abducted villagers in
massive destruction and killings of both civilians Borno state in Nigeria, a hotbed for militancy for
and security personnel, burning of schools and over fourteen years [27]. The problem could
other government institutions, abduction of probably be traced down to when the Boko Haram
students, workers. Empathically, many group used religion to set up attacks solely
government senior secondary schools in Yobe State targeting schools in the state.
particularly Potiskum Local Government area The objectives Is to examine the perception of
experienced several attacks from the Boko Haram secondary school teachers on the impact of Boko
insurgents; Schools were shut down for a long time. Haram insurgency on school infrastructure in
According to [26].suspected Boko Haram killed at Potiskum Local Government area.
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study was to examine the i. Examine the impact of Boko Haram
perception of secondary school teachers on the Insurgency on school facilities in
impact of Boko Haram insurgency on School Potiskum Local Government.
Infrastructure Development in Potiskum Local ii. Establish how the insurgency affected
Government, and the specific objectives were to: school Accommodation facilities in
potiskum Local Government.

5
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Research Hypothesis
In line with the objectives of the study, the HO1 Teachers perception on Boko Haram
following hypothesis has been formulated which insurgency has no impact on school infrastructure
was tested at 0.05 level of significance; in government senior secondary schools in
Potiskum.
METHODOLOGY
This paper employed quantitative approach with was employed, that is, the questionnaire was
the use of survey research design in order to distributed by the researcher himself. The
investigate the perception of secondary school researcher distributed the copies of the
teachers on the impact of Boko Haram Insurgency questionnaire to teachers and school
on school infrastructure in Government Senior administrators. This took place in the school
Secondary Schools in Potiskum Local Government premises by visiting their offices. The questionnaire
Area, Yobe State. The design was used because it was given to respondents on the basis of chance to
made use of standardized questions where whoever was available in the office. However, the
reliability of the items was determined and the questionnaires were collected back after one week
findings of the study can be generalized. The by the researcher. The interval of one week was
population of the study consisted of teachers and given to the respondents so that the respondents
school administrators in five government senior can have ample time to respond to the questionnaire
secondary schools in Potiskum Local Government [19]. In this paper, descriptive statistics tools of
Area, which were 729. The target population of the mean and standard deviation was used. These tools
study comprises all teachers and school were used to analyse the data collected on the
administrators in five government senior secondary perception of the respondents on the impact of Boko
schools in Potiskum Local Government, which Haram Insurgency on school infrastructure in
were 729 in number. The sample of the study was Government Senior Secondary Schools in Potiskum
determined using [13] sample size determination Local Government Area of Yobe state. Five points
table; giving a sample size of (248). The simple Likert scale was used from strongly agreed to not
random sampling technique was adopted as the decided. Besides, the postulated hypothesis was
sampling method in selecting the respondents. In analysed by using paired -t- Test.
this paper, self-administered questionnaire method Where:
t = Σd
√𝑛(𝛴𝑑2) −(𝛴𝑑)2
, (𝑛 − 1)𝑑𝑓
n−1
Value:
D = difference between paired value
N = Number of observation/sample
Data Presentation and Analysis
A total of two hundred and forty-eight (248) deviation was used. These tools were used to
respondents were sampled for questionnaire analyse the data collected on the perception of the
administration out of which two hundred and forty- respondents on the impact of Boko Haram
three (243) questionnaires were filled and returned Insurgency on school infrastructure in
by the respondents for analysis. The returned Government Senior Secondary Schools in Potiskum
questionnaire represents 98.6% of the total Local Government Area of Yobe state. Five points
questionnaire distributed to the respondents. Likert scale was used from strongly agreed to not
Descriptive statistics tools of mean and standard decided.

6
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Table 1: Descriptive statistics on the perception of secondary school teachers on the Impact of Boko
Haram Insurgency on School Infrastructures
S/N Questions Choice Statistic
SA A N D SD Mean(x) Std(x) Decision

1 Boko Haram insurgency has 200 40 0 3 0 4.79 0.45 Agreed

destroys/affected school.
Administrative offices
2 Boko Haram Insurgency has 180 45 0 18 0 4.60 0.82 Agreed
affected school class room In
Potiskum
3 Boko Haram Insurgency has 160 80 3 0 0 4.65 0.51 Agreed
Affected school library
4 Boko Haram insurgency has 180 40 3 0 0 4.79 1.38 Agreed
affected school laboratories
5 Boko Haram insurgency has 170 60 13 0 0 4.65 0.55 Agreed
affected school hostels
Source; Researcher’s field Survey, 2023
Table 1: revealed the impact of Boko Haram Haram has destroyed the libraries in the affected
insurgency on school infrastructures. The first schools. More so, the study further seeks to know if
question focused on the Administrative offices in insurgency has affected the school laboratories. The
most of the secondary schools in the study area. At respondents view revealed that most of the
an average, 4.79 of the respondents as revealed by laboratories were affected. The average response
the analysis are of the opinion that, the school was 4.79 with a standard deviation of 1.38. Since the
infrastructures have been affected with a standard mean value of 4.79 is greater than the threshold
deviation of 0.45. Thus, comparing this with the value of 3.0 it implies that the respondents agreed
threshold of 3.0 which is the benchmark for decision that the activities of Boko Haram insurgents have
making, we agreed that, the administrative affected laboratories in most of the schools in Yobe
infrastructures have been affected by Boko Haram state. The study further examines the hostel as one
insurgency in Yobe State. In the same vein, the of the critical infrastructure in most of the
study further examined how the Boko Haram secondary schools in Yobe state, it is quite amazing
insurgency has affected school classroom in that insurgents have done a lot of damage based on
Potiskum. In fact, there is no gainsaying that most the respondents’ view. At an average, 4.65 of the
of the school’s classrooms have been affected based respondents with a standard deviation of 0.55 are of
on the respondent’s opinions. At an average 4.6 of the pinion that Boko Haram insurgents have
the respondents with a standard deviation of 0.82 destroyed the hostel accommodation. This can be
have agreed that classrooms have been affected. substantiated by comparing the average value of
Based on the cut-off threshold of 3.0, it shows that (4.65) with the threshold value of 3.0. In addition,
the respondents have agreed that that the class the kitchen was equally x-rayed to see if Boko
rooms have been affected. Similarly, libraries in Haram insurgents have caused destruction in most
most of the schools in Yobe state were examined; of the school kitchens. Surprisingly, majority of the
table 4.6 revealed that Boko Haram insurgency has respondents give an average response rate of 4.67
significantly affected them. The average response with a standard deviation of 0.55. This shows that
was 4.65 with a standard deviation of 0.51. This the insurgents have equally touched the
shows that the respondents have agreed that Boko powerhouse of the students.
Hypotheses Testing
The hypotheses were tested in line with the respondents was used for the analysis. The
objectives of the study. A pair sample t-test was hypotheses were tested at 95% level of confidence.
used to carry out the analysis. The choice of this HO: Boko Haram Insurgency has no Impact on
research instrument was based on the fact that the School Infrastructure in Government Senior
treatment was given to the same person and the Secondary School Potiskum.
result can be quantified by numerical scores. Thus,
a sample of two hundred and forty-three (243)

7
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Table 2: Paired Sample t- test of Difference in Infrastructure Before and After Insurgency

t-value df Sig-value P-value

Before Insurgency-After Insurgency 1.65 242 0.16 0.05
Source: Field Survey, 2023
From the table 2, the sig-value (0.16) is greater than infrastructure of Government Senior Secondary
the P-value (0.05). Therefore, from the test we can Schools in Potiskum before and after the
conclude that there is significant difference in insurgency since (Sig-value= 0.16>P-value =0.05).
Discussion of the Results
The discussion of the findings was carried out on Examination. This level of infrastructural
the basis of the objectives of the study. Thus, the destruction by Boko Haram has in no small measure
finding revealed that Boko haram has affected compounded this ugly scenario. This idea was
school critical infrastructures particularly library, further upheld by [10] on rural schools across
classrooms, kitchens, laboratories and African countries. They posited that lack of
administrative blocks during their attack on essential infrastructure as a result of insecurity
secondary schools in the study area. Many of these situation, has make the learning environment less
infrastructures were set a blazed in the affected safe, less efficient and less effective. Schools with
schools. This is to ensure total prohibition of the poor physical environment that was destroyed by
ideology of western education and make sure that the activities of Boko Haram are less likely to
education is wind-swept in the state. Besides, attract both teachers and students or pupils [9].
insurgents may be doing this in order to discourage The damaging effects of Boko Haram on learning
students and other stakeholders in educational materials, equipment, school records, libraries,
development in Yobe State in order to promote laboratories and their feeding materials has
their religious loathing for western education [8]. inadvertently short-changed the students in having
Consequently, this has not in small measures led to access to adequate resources to eke out effective
loss of valuable items that government and other living standard as planned by government in Yobe
stakeholders in education had termed educational State. This is in support of [18] who opined in
tsunamis since the creation of the state. The literature that nearly all the infrastructure in most
challenge of this dastardly act has created a serious of schools attacked were burn down in Potiskum.
gap in the educational development of the state. More so, [20] opined in literature by supporting
Besides, Yobe state has been rated as one of the this argument that laboratory infrastructures in
educational disadvantage states in Nigeria adjudges most of the schools are grossly inadequate to meet
on the basis of their annual performance evaluation the need of the population as results of frequent
in public examinations such as West African attacked of schools by the Boko Haram insurgency
Examination Council, National Examination in the study area.
Council and National Board for Technical
Conclusion and Recommendation
Based on the findings of the study, Boko Haram Government Senior Secondary Schools in
Insurgency has negatively affected Education in Potiskum.
Government senior secondary schools in Potiskum. ii. Government should provide security in
Besides, the impact of the insurgency has affected order to improve students’ enrolment in schools,
some of the school’s infrastructure. Boko Haram specifically in government senior secondary schools
insurgency has significantly reduced Student Potiskum.
Enrolment based on reduced classroom, library and iii. Lastly, government should return back the
science laboratory space. While at the same time led teachers that left the school services as a result of
to Teachers withdrawal from School Services in Boko Haram insurgency in order to improve the
Potiskum and its environs. Based on the findings of quality of Education in government senior
this study, I hereby recommending the following; secondary schools potiskum. Besides, qualified
i. This study recommended that teachers should be recruited by government to
government should make provision for enhance the death of teachers in the affected
infrastructure destroyed by Boko Haram in schools.

8
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CITE AS: Tom Mulegi, Usman Bappi, Mohammed Banga , Eleanor Kirahora Barongo and Shakiro
Iluku Joyce (2024). Perception of Boko Haram Insurgency on School Infrastracture Development
in Local Government in Potiskum, Yobe State, North Eastern Nigeria. IAA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL
SCIENCES 10(1):1-9. https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJSS/2024/10.1.19000

9
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.