Insurgency: Its Impact on Entrepreneurship Machinations in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Insurgency remains a major security and socioeconomic challenge in Nigeria, with substantial implications for entrepreneurial activities, particularly in the northern region. This study examined the perceived impact of insurgency on the establishment and sustainability of small-scale enterprises in Northern Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was employed. The study involved 810 entrepreneurs, with 45 respondents selected from each participating state using a snowball sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument entitled the *Questionnaire on Insurgency and Its Impact on Entrepreneurship Machinations in Northern Nigeria*. The instrument employed a four-point Likert scale ranging from Strongly Agree (4) to Strongly Disagree (1). Content validity was assessed by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation, while test–retest reliability conducted at a two-week interval yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.71. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. The findings indicate that insurgency adversely affects both the establishment and sustainability of small-scale enterprises in Northern Nigeria. Respondents reported that insecurity constrains business creation, discourages investment, restricts commercial mobility, creates uncertainty in long-term business planning, and contributes to business closure. The study concludes that persistent insecurity constitutes an important barrier to entrepreneurship development in the region. It therefore recommends strengthening security capacity, improving surveillance and communication infrastructure, and addressing underlying socioeconomic conditions that may contribute to persistent insecurity.