ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE LAKE CHAD BASIN

Lake Chad Basin is one of the most important basin in the Sub-Saharan Africa due to its economic potentialities. But the basin has suffered a lot of setback due to both human and climatic factors. The basin was depleted to about 90% of its original size. The basin as also faced with the problem of insecurity which has contributed immensely to the economic activities of the area. This study centered on the economic development and security challenges of the Lake Chad Basin. The paper stressed that due to insecurity caused by conflict (Boko Haram activities), climate and environmental factors which have their remote causes from socio-political and economic factors: economic activities were halted, no investors are willing to invest in the region and this has tempered with the economic development of the area. The paper adopted social identity theory to explain the major cause of insecurity in the Lake Chad basin. It further conceptualized the basic concepts in the paper. And finally it provided some ways in which insecurity could be managed so as to enhance economic development of the Lake Chad Basin.