TERRORISM AND NIGERIA’S INTERNATIONAL IMAGE AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

The state of terrorist activities in Nigeria today is unprecedented and most worrisome. The frequency of activities of terrorist groups in the country and the observed helplessness of government in the face of these violent attacks has led to the loss of unquantified lives and properties of Nigerians. This study interrogates the activities of terrorist groups and its impact on the international image of the country. The paper will attempt to establish whether foreign direct investment and Nigeria’s good international image are being hampered as a consequence of the current high wave of security challenges in the country. The paper adopted the conspiracy theory as its theoretical perspective while data were collected through the secondary sources. The paper argued that the low level of foreign direct investment and the declining international image of Nigeria and more importantly the great apprehension and state of fear among the citizens afre the direct consequences of terrorism in the country. The paper however, recommended that government should demonstrate more political will by the way of engaging those involved in these heinous acts in a dialogue in addition to the military option which the government is presently executing. There is the dire need for the convening of a Sovereign National Conference to further discuss the Nigerian federation.