Youth violence, terrorism and gangsterism had seriously affected on
Nigeria’s security, economy and social development. This study appraised
terrorism among youths in Nigeria, looking at poor education, unemployment and
poverty as some of the specific identified factors prompting the menace. The
survey research design was adopted for this study. Data were collected from
both primary and secondary sources. Multistage simple systematic random
sampling technique was adopted in administering a questionnaire consisting four
validated instruments to 300 youths (150 males and 150 females) in the study
area. Secondary sources of data included the report of United Nations Secretary
General 2003, poverty rate, unemployment level and damage incurred due to
violence and terror attack. Pearson product moment correlation and multiple linear
regression analysis were used in testing the stated research questions and
hypotheses. The result of the findings in research question (1) showed that
there was a significant positive relationship between independent variables
(poverty, unemployment and poor education) and dependent variable (terrorism)
among youths in Nigeria: poverty (r = 0.812, P < 0.05), unemployment (r = 0.835,
P < 0.05), and poor education (r = 0.829, P < 0.05). The second research
question as confirmed by the study showed that there was combined effect of
poverty, unemployment and poor education on terrorism (Adj. R2 = 0.748
= 75% of the variance at P < 0.05, df = 3/269). The result of the third research
question also showed that there was a relative contribution of the independent
variables to the explanation of the dependent variable; poverty (β = 0.384, t = 7.584, P < 0.05)
followed by unemployment at (β = 1.585,
t = 3.264, P < 0.05), and poor education at (β = 1.006, t = ﹣2.213, P < 0.05)
in that order. The study demonstrated that poverty, unemployment and poor
education were very strong factors contributing to the rate of terrorism in
Nigeria with unemployment ranking highest. The study recommended that various
kinds of poverty reduction strategies and empowerment should be put in place to
reduce the rate of poverty in the society. Mass education, nomadic, adult
education, among others need to be vigorously pursued to enlighten the people
against all sort of nefarious activities and criminal act. Furthermore, there
must be a public education on prints media, church, mosque and other means on
need for youth to eschew violence, terrorism and gangsterism and other
insurgency among others to enhance national stability and integration.