Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has identified poverty and exclusion as key factors driving the recruitment of youth into extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP in Nigeria.

He emphasised the need for both security and governance reforms to confront extremism.

Speaking at the 18th distinguished public lecture series of the Federal University, Lokoja, Buratai noted that the lack of state presence in remote areas creates an environment conducive for youth recruitment into Boko Haram and other extremist groups.

He highlighted the importance of empowering young people, who constitute over 60% of Nigeria’s population, to contribute to national development and prevent them from being recruited by extremist groups.

“The participation of young people in Nigeria is not an option because most of the population of this country is composed of young individuals.

“Nigerian youths can be the main contributors to national development in various sectors when empowered properly,” Buratai said.

He emphasised the need to reach out to young people and empower them to prevent their recruitment by extremist groups.

“If we do not reach out to our young people, we leave them to be recruited by criminal gangs or extremist organisations or foreign powers. But once we empower them, then they will not only be defenders of Nigeria and safeguards of her peace-they will be the ones to set its future.“ (Nigerian Tribune, excluding headline)