TERRORISM IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: EFFECTS ON SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

This paper examines the root and effects of Boko Haram terrorism to sports development in Nigeria. In the paper it was observed that sport unites friends, people communities, and countries together with common interest, it resolves conflicts, builds the mind of an individual, encourages sportsmanship, fairness, discipline and win-win ideology. Deviance and misconducts in youths can also be solved through involvement in sport. The paper pointed out that terrorism is the opposite of sports; it is the act of killing unarmed people, destroying of properties, causing fear and panic among the people and government of a nation for selfish and unaccepted reasons. Among the effects of Boko Haram insurgency are social effects, economical effect and psychological effect, all these join together is destroying Nigeria’s beautiful, and peaceful cultural heritage, socio-economic, economic and sports growth recorded over the years. In solving the insurgency problems it was recommended among others that youths should be engaged in sporting activities through a well planned programme by the government, in order to keep them away from social vices and terrorist attacks.