THE IMPACT OF PROTEST-RELATED VIOLENCE ON EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the severe effects of violence associated to protests on Nigeria's educational system, with a particular emphasis on the harm done to physical infrastructure, the disruption of classes, and the psychological effects on faculty and students. Utilizing case studies including the Boko Haram insurgency, the EndSARS protests, and local disputes in the Niger Delta, the study emphasizes the short- and long-term effects of violence on the country's educational system. According to the analysis, demolishing schools and educational facilities not only makes education more difficult to obtain and reduces literacy rates, but it also makes it more difficult to achieve national development goals. The effects on society as a whole are studied critically, taking into account how low educational attainment can exacerbate social discontent and prolong violent cycles. Along with providing policy recommendations for protecting educational infrastructure during protests, the report also describes successful mitigation options, such as preventive actions involving the government, civil society, and communities. Sustainable reconstruction techniques and the significance of mental health care for impacted staff members and students are highlighted in the discussion of rebuilding and rehabilitation initiatives. This study highlights the vital role that education plays in promoting stability and development in Nigeria and emphasizes the necessity of extensive and coordinated measures to safeguard and rebuild educational infrastructure in the face of violence associated to protests. Stakeholders may build a more resilient and successful educational system and lessen the negative consequences of violence by putting the suggested methods into practice.