Identity crisis, State vulnerability and ungoverned space in the Sahel region of Africa: implications for Nigeria national security

Abstract

-The ungoverned spaces of the Sahel region represent the physical areas where there is absence or weak capacity of states to make representation culminating in pervasive national identity crisis. This work interrogates the ethos of ungoverned space in Nigeria in relations to decades of misrule, neo patrimonialism and prebendalism in the governance process. The paper, relying on “Competitive control theory” describes the unfolding paranormal context between competitive actors (state and groups) Leveraging on the gaps in the governance system within the country. the work concludes that the seemingly lack of government presents in the ungoverned space engulfing the Sambisa forest in North Eastern Nigeria has created a weak link in Nigeria‟s national security. Criminal syndicates and terrorist organizations like Boko Haram have leveraged extensively on this weak link to champion anti state crusade within the region enjoying massive covert support from local indigenes. The work therefore recommends a bottom up re-orientation on national identity through the educational curriculum.